Scantiness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈskan-tē/

Meaning & Definition of Scantiness

Scantiness (adjective)

  1. limited or less than sufficient in degree, quantity, or extent

Scantiness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number

    "the scantiness of grass meant that we had to feed the cows extra hay"

    similar: crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want
    related: absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation
    opposite: abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth
    near: bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

Related Entry: Scanty (adjective)

Scanty is a different word from Scantiness. The synonyms below are for scanty, not for scantiness.

  1. less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

    "the camera's scanty instructions left me somewhat confused"

    similar: exiguous, hand-to-mouth, light, meager, poor, scant, scarce, skimp, skimpy, slender, slim, spare, sparing, sparse, stingy, thin on the ground
    related: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, short, wanting, bare, bare-bones, least, littlest, lowest, mere, minimal, slightest, slight, small, thin, barren, infertile, sterile, unfruitful, unproductive
    opposite: abundant, ample, bountiful, copious, generous, liberal, plenteous, plentiful
    near: adequate, enough, satisfactory, sufficient, tolerable, fat, fecund, fertile, fruitful, prolific, rich, lavish, luxuriant, blooming, bursting, flourishing, proliferative, swarming, teeming, thriving, excess, extra, surplus

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Scantiness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Scantiness:

crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Scantiness

Words with the opposite meaning of Scantiness:

abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth

Related Words for Scantiness

absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation

Near Antonyms of Scantiness

bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

Word Forms of Scantiness

Inflections: scantier, scantiest

Derived words: scantily (adverb), scantiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Scantiness

English dialect scant scanty supply, from Middle English, from Old Norse skamt, from neuter of skammr short

First known use: 1582

Frequently Asked Questions about Scantiness

What does "Scantiness" mean?

"Scantiness" means limited or less than sufficient in degree, quantity, or extent. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: limited or less than sufficient in degree, quantity, or extent.

What is another word for "Scantiness"?

Other words for "Scantiness" include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine and inadequacy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Scantiness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Scantiness"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Scantiness". Common alternatives include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness and insufficiency.

What is the opposite of "Scantiness"?

Antonyms of "Scantiness" include abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency and wealth. Near antonyms include bountifulness, copiousness, excess and overabundance.

How do you use "Scantiness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Scantiness" in a sentence: "the scantiness of grass meant that we had to feed the cows extra hay".

Is "Scantiness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Scantiness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Scantiness"?

"Scantiness" is pronounced /ˈskan-tē/.

What is the origin of the word "Scantiness"?

"Scantiness" comes from English dialect scant scanty supply, from Middle English, from Old Norse skamt, from neuter of skammr short. First known use: 1582.