Mastering the Meaning of ‘Meager’ for the GRE
Explore the definition, usage, and importance of the word ‘meager’ as you prepare for the GRE exam. Understand how this term relates to scarcity and insufficiency, and learn strategies to effectively incorporate it into your vocabulary and communication.
Imagine opening your refrigerator, hoping to find ingredients for a feast, only to discover a single wilted lettuce leaf and a nearly empty carton of milk.
This disappointing scenario perfectly illustrates our word of the day: meager. As we prepare for the GRE, understanding words like meager can significantly boost our vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Word type: Meager is primarily used as an adjective. It’s pronounced MEE-ger, rhyming with eager.
Meaning: Meager describes something that is deficient in quantity, quality, or extent.
It often refers to something that is scanty, inadequate, or lacking in substance or quantity.
Word history: The term meager has an interesting etymology.
It comes from the Old French word maigre, which in turn originated from the Latin word macer, meaning thin or lean.
This Latin root is also the source of words like emaciate and macro.
Antonyms: Some antonyms of meager include abundant, ample, plentiful, copious, and bountiful.
Synonyms: Synonyms for meager include scanty, sparse, paltry, inadequate, insufficient, and skimpy.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s explore how to use meager in various contexts.
One: Despite her meager savings, she was determined to start her own business. Two: The hikers had to ration their meager food supplies to last the entire trek.
Three: The critic described the film as having a meager plot with underdeveloped characters. Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing meager with eager.
Remember, meager relates to scarcity, while eager relates to enthusiasm. Another error is using meager to describe people directly.
Instead of saying someone is meager, it’s more accurate to say they have a meager appearance or meager resources.
To help remember the word meager, think of the phrase me-ager, as in I’m eager for more because what I have is meager.
This mental association can help you recall both the pronunciation and the meaning. In conclusion, meager is a versatile and important word in the GRE vocabulary arsenal.
It effectively conveys the idea of scarcity or insufficiency across various contexts. By understanding its meaning, origins, and usage, you’re better equipped to recognize and utilize this word in your own communication and test-taking strategies.
