Modicum

A small quantity of a particular thing, especially something desirable or valuable; a little bit. The word highlights the scarcity or limited nature of a positive attribute or resource. It often implies that even a small amount is appreciated or sufficient in a given context. The emphasis is on the slightness of the portion, implying the contrast with a larger, potentially insufficient or unattainable, amount.

Modicum meaning with examples

• Despite his vast wealth, the miserly old man possessed only a modicum of happiness, finding joy in the accumulation of money and nothing else. His life was a testament to the hollowness of material possessions and the importance of genuine emotional fulfillment.
• The exhausted hikers had a modicum of energy left, enough to reach the shelter before nightfall. They knew if they ran out of gas, the cold night and wilderness around them would not forgive their carelessness.
• Even a modicum of effort from the unmotivated employees would have been welcomed by the frustrated manager. The team's lack of industry was reflected in the company's lagging profits, a source of frustration and stress for all involved.
• She showed a modicum of interest in the complex topic, asking only a few questions. Despite her initial curiosity, her mind soon wandered, as she was more interested in other things, a sad waste of a potentially brilliant mind.
• The struggling artist, after years of dedication, found a modicum of recognition, a small step forward in his long journey to success. The positive attention was like a candle against the gathering darkness of his struggles.