Scrimpy

Scrimpy describes something that is small, inadequate, or insufficient, especially in amount or size, often implying a lack of generosity or abundance. It can refer to portions of food, resources, or material goods. The word suggests a degree of stinginess or parsimony, hinting at a deliberate effort to economize or limit what is provided. The term evokes a feeling of being shortchanged or deprived, whether intentionally or due to circumstances.

Scrimpy meaning with examples

• The restaurant served a scrimpy portion of mashed potatoes, leaving the diner feeling unsatisfied after their meal. The cost of the meal was high, but the portion sizes were hardly fitting for the price, making the diner's overall experience displeasing.
• They were given a scrimpy amount of paint for the project, forcing them to carefully ration the supply and preventing them from finishing the detail of the work.
• The hotel provided a scrimpy selection of toiletries, with only one small bar of soap and a single miniature shampoo bottle for the guests. The toiletries were not enough.
• Due to the drought, water restrictions meant residents received a scrimpy amount of water for their gardens, a scarcity leaving many plants withered and dried out.
• After years of economic hardship, the budget allocated for education was quite scrimpy, forcing schools to cut vital programs and purchase fewer resources for the students.