How Do You Spell MEAGER?

Pronunciation: [mˈiːɡə] (IPA)

The word "meager" can be a bit tricky to spell due to the unusual placement of the "e" after the "g". The phonetic transcription for "meager" is /ˈmiːɡər/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "e" in the second syllable is pronounced as a schwa sound, while the "a" in the first syllable is pronounced as a long "ee" sound. So, despite the unusual spelling of "meager", the phonetic transcription can help us understand how to correctly pronounce this word.

MEAGER Meaning and Definition

  1. Meager is an adjective that describes something as being deficient in quantity, quality, or substance, typically referring to a small or inadequate amount. When used to characterize a physical object or an amount of something, it suggests a scarcity or insufficiency. For instance, a meager salary might denote a low income that is barely sufficient to cover basic expenses or an inadequate sum in comparison to one's workload or qualifications.

    The term can also be used in a figurative sense to describe something as being lacking in richness, significance, or depth. It denotes a deficiency in quality or content, suggesting a sense of inadequacy or a lack of fulfillment. For example, a meager plot refers to a storyline or narrative that is thin or uninteresting, with little development or complexity.

    Furthermore, meager can describe something as being lean or thin in physical appearance, suggesting a lack of substance or structure. In relation to food or a diet, it refers to a meager portion or a limited variety of options, indicating a lack of abundance or variety.

    Overall, the word meager connotes a sense of inadequacy or deficiency, whether in terms of quantity, quality, substance, richness, or significance. It is often used to describe something that falls short of what is considered satisfactory or adequate.

  2. Lean; hungry; poor; scanty; without strength or richness; barren.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MEAGER *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MEAGER

Etymology of MEAGER

The word "meager" originates from the Old French word "maigre", meaning "thin" or "lean". It further traces back to the Latin term "macrum", which also meant "thin" or "lean". The root of "macrum" is believed to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European word "*mak-", signifying "thinness" or "slenderness". Over time, "maigre" evolved to "magra" in Old French and eventually transformed into "meager" in Middle English.

Similar spelling words for MEAGER

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