scant

/skænt/

Group 8Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Barely sufficient or adequate; meager
GRE

Example in Context

The researchers had only scant evidence to support their hypothesis, making the paper's bold conclusions difficult to defend.

Synonyms

littlesparsemeager

Etymology

Indicates a minimal amount, suggesting inadequacy.

  • scanty (Old Norse) — meager

Memory Aid

🙅‍♂️Sounds like “can't

A person looking at an empty fridge saying 'I CAN'T find anything to eat!' — it's SCANT!

Visual Association

🍽️An empty plate with one lonely pea sitting in the middle, barely enough for a meal.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “scant” mean on the GRE?

scant (adjective) means “Barely sufficient or adequate; meager”. The researchers had only scant evidence to support their hypothesis, making the paper's bold conclusions difficult to defend.

How to remember “scant” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “scant” sounds like “can't”. A person looking at an empty fridge saying 'I CAN'T find anything to eat!' — it's SCANT!

What are synonyms for “scant”?

Common synonyms: little, sparse, meager.