SAT Vocab: Understanding ‘Meager’ – Definition, Usage, and Examples
Learn about the SAT vocabulary word ‘meager’, including its definition, pronunciation, etymology, synonyms, antonyms, and usage in sentences. Improve your vocabulary for the SAT and avoid common mistakes when using this word.
Imagine opening your piggy bank after months of saving, only to find a few coins inside. That disappointing feeling?
That’s what we mean when we use the word meager. Today, we’re exploring this important SAT vocabulary word that you’ll want to add to your arsenal.
Word type: Meager is 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’s scanty, inadequate, or lacking in substance or quantity.
Word history: The term meager comes from the Old French word maigre, which in turn originated from the Latin word macer, meaning thin or lean.
Its use in English dates back to the fourteenth century, initially describing lean or thin people or animals.
Over time, its meaning broadened to include any scarce or insufficient quantity.
Synonyms: Some words that mean something similar to meager include scanty, sparse, paltry, inadequate, and insufficient.
Antonyms: On the flip side, words that mean the opposite of meager include abundant, plentiful, ample, and copious.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s see how we can use meager in different contexts. One: Despite her meager savings, Sarah 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 only physical quantities. While it can certainly describe physical scarcity, it can also refer to abstract concepts or qualities.
Understanding and correctly using words like meager can significantly boost your SAT score and enhance your overall vocabulary.
As you prepare for the SAT, remember that every new word you learn is another tool in your linguistic toolkit.
Keep exploring, keep learning, and watch your vocabulary grow from meager to magnificent.
