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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Meagre: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：very small amount (meagre)

meagre 🔊

/ˈmiːɡə(r)/

adj.

Describes an amount that is much smaller than needed or expected.

Meagre amount illustrated by a nearly empty large refrigerator with only an apple and milk.

very small amount 🔊

➕

/ˌveri smɔːl əˈmaʊnt/

adj.

Indicates that the quantity is significantly less than what is necessary or expected.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'macer' meaning thin, via Old French 'megre'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'meagre meal' – a small, unsatisfying portion that highlights insufficiency.

📖 Example

Despite working long hours, he could only earn a meagre salary that barely covered his rent. 🔊 Even with extensive work hours, his salary was so minimal it scarcely paid for his housing.

🔗 Collocations

meagre resources – very limited available assets

meagre income – earnings that are insufficient

meagre portion – a small serving of food

🔄 Synonyms

scanty (adj.) – barely sufficient or inadequate

paltry (adj.) – ridiculously small or insignificant

modest (adj.) – not large in size or amount

🚫 Antonyms

abundant (adj.) – existing or available in large quantities

ample (adj.) – enough or more than enough

plentiful (adj.) – existing in great quantity

🌱 Derivatives

meagreness (n.) – the state of being meagre

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'macer' (thin). Entered English via Old French 'megre'. Now commonly used to describe insufficiency in amount or quality, especially in economic or academic contexts.

Meaning 2：of poor quality (meagre)

meagre 🔊

/ˈmiːɡə(r)/

adj.

Describes something of very poor quality, lacking substance or value.

Meagre quality shown by a blank page with only a few poor scribbles, indicating low value.

of poor quality 🔊

➕

/ɒv pʊə ˈkwɒlɪti/

adj.

Refers to something that is deficient in substance, depth, or value.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The teacher was disappointed by the student's meagre essay, which lacked both depth and supporting evidence. 🔊 The teacher found the student's essay to be of very low quality, missing depth and evidence.

🔗 Collocations

meagre effort – minimal or insufficient attempt

meagre content – lacking in substantive material

meagre performance – unsatisfactory execution

🔄 Synonyms

inadequate (adj.) – not enough or not good enough

substandard (adj.) – below the usual or required standard

feeble (adj.) – lacking strength or effectiveness

🚫 Antonyms

substantial (adj.) – of considerable importance, size, or worth

rich (adj.) – abundant in valuable qualities

high-quality (adj.) – of superior standard

🌱 Derivatives

meagreness (n.) – the state of being meagre