Skimpy: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe clothing that covers very little of the body and may be seen as inadequate or insufficient in size. Often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation.

• She was wearing a skimpy dress that barely covered her knees.
• The budget for the project was pretty skimpy.

Refers to clothing that shows a lot of the body, often used in a context where the exposure is intentional. Can be neutral but sometimes implies a moral or social judgment.

• Her dress was very revealing, showing off her back and legs.
• The movie contains some scenes with revealing outfits.

Describes clothing that is very minimal and leaves a lot of the body exposed. Often implies insufficiency or inadequacy and can carry a negative connotation.

• Her scanty outfit drew a lot of attention at the party.
• In such cold weather, her clothing seemed rather scanty.

Used to describe clothing that does not extend very far down the body, such as shorts or short skirts. Generally neutral but context can influence whether it seems positive or negative.

• He wore a pair of short pants and a t-shirt.
• The dancers wore short skirts for their performance.

This word is often used to describe clothing that is too small or does not cover much of the body. It can also be used to describe something that is lacking in quantity or quality. The word can sometimes have a negative connotation.

• She wore a skimpy dress to the party.
• The lunch portions were pretty skimpy.

This word describes something that is very small in amount or not enough in quantity. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that what is available is not satisfactory.

• His meager earnings were not enough to support his family.
• The evidence was meager and did not support the claims.

This word is used to describe something that is barely sufficient or minimal in quantity. It can have a negative connotation, implying that more is needed.

• There was scant evidence to support the theory.
• The region receives scant rainfall each year.

This word is used to describe something that is not sufficient or not enough for a specific need. It often has a negative connotation, implying that what is present falls short of requirements.

• The funding was inadequate for the project.
• She felt her skills were inadequate for the job.