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B1 adjective #38 最常用 9分钟阅读

scant

前38

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'scant' yourself. It is a more advanced word. Instead, you would use simple words like 'very little' or 'not much.' For example, instead of saying 'There was scant food,' an A1 learner would say 'There was not much food' or 'There was very little food.' The word 'scant' might be too difficult to understand if you see it in a book, but you can think of it as a fancy way to say 'not enough.' At this stage, focus on learning the basic words for quantity like 'some,' 'many,' 'a lot,' and 'little.' If you see 'scant' in a sentence, just remember it means something is small and probably not enough for what is needed. It is like having only one cookie when you are very hungry—that is a scant amount of cookies! You will learn more precise words like this as you get better at English. For now, just know that it describes a small amount that makes someone unhappy or worried because it isn't enough.

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more adjectives to describe things. While 'scant' is still a bit advanced, you might see it in simple stories or news headlines. It means 'barely enough.' Imagine you are making a cake and you only have a tiny bit of sugar—almost not enough to make the cake sweet. That is 'scant' sugar. You can compare it to 'little,' but 'scant' sounds more serious. If a teacher says you paid 'scant attention,' they mean you didn't listen well at all. You should try to recognize this word when you read. It usually comes before a noun, like 'scant money' or 'scant time.' It is a good word to know because it helps you understand when a writer is being critical. If they use 'scant' instead of 'little,' they are usually complaining that something is missing or insufficient. You don't have to use it in your own speaking yet, but knowing it will make your reading better.

At the B1 level, you should begin to incorporate 'scant' into your vocabulary, especially in your writing. This is a great 'power word' to replace 'very little' in your essays. When you are describing a problem, 'scant' adds a level of sophistication. For example, if you are writing about environmental issues, you could say 'There is scant evidence that the new law is working.' This sounds much more professional than 'There is not much evidence.' You should also understand its common pairings, known as collocations. 'Scant regard,' 'scant attention,' and 'scant resources' are very common. At this level, you can use 'scant' to show that you understand nuance. It's not just that there is a small amount; it's that the amount is inadequate for the situation. You might also see it in recipes or when people talk about measurements. If a recipe calls for a 'scant cup,' it means don't fill the cup all the way to the top. Using 'scant' correctly shows that you are moving beyond basic English and starting to use more precise, academic language.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'scant' fluently in both formal writing and semi-formal speaking. You should understand that 'scant' often carries a tone of disapproval or critical judgment. When you use it, you are often making a point about a deficiency. For instance, in a business presentation, you might say, 'The project failed because we had scant support from the management.' This clearly identifies the lack of support as the reason for the failure. You should also be able to distinguish 'scant' from similar words like 'meager,' 'sparse,' and 'scarce.' You know that 'sparse' is about distribution and 'scarce' is about general availability, while 'scant' is about sufficiency for a specific task. You should also be familiar with the adverb 'scantily,' particularly in the phrase 'scantily clad,' and understand its connotations. At this level, you can use 'scant' to vary your sentence structure and avoid repeating simple words like 'little' or 'few.' It is a versatile tool for expressing precise degrees of inadequacy in a variety of professional and social contexts.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the stylistic impact of 'scant.' You use it not just for its meaning, but for its rhythm and tone. You might use it to create a sense of irony or to emphasize a point through understatement. For example, 'He paid scant attention to the fact that his house was on fire' uses 'scant' to highlight the absurdity of his indifference. You are comfortable using 'scant' with a wide range of abstract nouns, and you understand how it functions in different registers, from the legalistic to the literary. You might use the verb form of 'scant' (though rare) to describe someone who is being stingy or neglectful: 'He scanted his duties.' You also recognize 'scant' in complex literary texts where it might be used to describe a landscape or a character's emotional state. Your use of the word is precise, and you never confuse it with its synonyms. You understand the historical roots of the word and how its meaning has evolved, allowing you to appreciate its use in older texts as well as modern journalism.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'scant' is complete. You use it with the effortless precision of a native speaker, often employing it in sophisticated rhetorical structures. You might use it in a 'scant... if any' construction, such as 'There is scant, if any, evidence to support such a wild claim.' This shows a high level of control over English idiom and logic. You are sensitive to the word's ability to convey subtle shades of meaning—how it can be used to dismiss an argument, describe a physical lack, or set a somber mood in a piece of creative writing. You understand its role in the history of the English language and can identify its use in various dialects or specialized fields like archaic legal documents or specific technical manuals. For you, 'scant' is one of many tools in a vast vocabulary that allows you to express exactly what you mean with the appropriate level of formality and emotional resonance. You can play with the word, perhaps using it in a pun or a complex metaphor, fully aware of how it will be perceived by your audience.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

scant 30秒了解

Scant means barely enough or insufficient in quantity.
It is commonly used with abstract nouns like 'attention' or 'evidence'.
The word often implies a negative judgment or a deficiency.
In measurements, it means slightly less than a full unit.

The adjective scant is a sophisticated yet accessible term used to describe a quantity that is barely sufficient, inadequate, or falling short of what is expected or required. While it functions as a synonym for 'little' or 'few,' it carries a specific nuance of disappointment or critical assessment. When you describe something as scant, you are not just saying there is a small amount; you are often implying that the small amount is a problem or a limitation. It is frequently used in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts to highlight deficiencies in data, attention, or resources. For instance, a scientist might complain about scant evidence, or a social critic might point to the scant attention paid to a pressing public issue. The word originates from Old Norse, meaning 'short' or 'narrow,' and that sense of being 'cut short' remains in its modern usage.

Formal Reporting: In technical or legal writing, 'scant' is used to objectively state that a threshold of sufficiency has not been met. It avoids the emotional weight of 'pathetic' but is more precise than 'small.'

The researchers noted that there was scant information regarding the long-term effects of the new medication.

Beyond physical quantities, 'scant' is often applied to abstract concepts like respect, consideration, or courtesy. If someone pays 'scant regard' to the rules, they are essentially ignoring them or treating them as unimportant. This usage suggests a lack of proper attitude or effort. In culinary contexts, 'scant' has a very specific meaning: a 'scant cup' of flour is a measurement that is slightly less than a full cup. This demonstrates the word's versatility, moving from high-level academic critique to the practicalities of a kitchen recipe. It is a word that demands precision from the speaker and implies a lack of precision or abundance in the subject being described.

Literary Nuance: Authors use 'scant' to create a sense of barrenness or deprivation. A 'scant harvest' immediately sets a tone of struggle for a community in a story.

He survived the winter on scant rations and even scanter hope.

Comparative Usage: While 'meager' suggests a pitifully small amount, 'scant' often focuses on the inadequacy relative to a requirement.

The budget provided scant resources for the ambitious urban renewal project.

There is scant chance of the weather improving before the weekend.

The witness gave scant detail about the suspect's appearance.

Using 'scant' correctly requires understanding its placement before nouns to qualify them as insufficient. It is almost always used as an attributive adjective (before the noun). You will rarely see someone say 'the food was scant'; instead, they would say 'there was scant food.' This placement emphasizes the noun that is lacking. In professional writing, 'scant' often pairs with abstract nouns like 'attention,' 'evidence,' 'regard,' 'respect,' and 'detail.' For example, 'The proposal was rejected with scant explanation' implies that the rejection was abrupt and perhaps unfair because it lacked the necessary reasoning. In a more literal sense, it describes physical items: 'scant clothing' suggests someone is not wearing enough to stay warm or be modest.

Abstract Nouns: Pairing 'scant' with words like 'sympathy' or 'interest' creates a strong image of emotional coldness or indifference.

The CEO showed scant interest in the employees' concerns about the new policy.

Another common pattern is using 'scant' to describe time or distance that feels insufficient for a task. 'We had a scant hour to complete the exam' suggests that sixty minutes was not nearly enough time. Similarly, 'The two villages are a scant five miles apart' implies that the distance is surprisingly short, perhaps shorter than one would expect given the terrain or the difference between the two places. In these cases, 'scant' acts as a modifier that adds a layer of subjective judgment to a measurement. It tells the reader that the speaker finds the amount to be on the low end of the spectrum.

Measurement Context: In cooking or construction, 'scant' indicates a measurement that does not quite reach the line.

Add a scant teaspoon of salt to the mixture to avoid over-seasoning.

Negative Connotations: 'Scant' is almost always used to highlight a lack, making it a useful tool for critical analysis.

The report was criticized for providing scant evidence for its bold conclusions.

They paid scant attention to the warning signs until it was too late.

The traveler had scant knowledge of the local customs.

You are most likely to encounter 'scant' in serious journalism, academic papers, and literature. News anchors might use it when discussing a lack of progress in negotiations: 'There has been scant progress in the peace talks today.' In this context, it sounds more objective and authoritative than 'hardly any.' In the world of finance and economics, 'scant' is used to describe low growth or limited resources, such as 'scant investment in infrastructure.' It is a favorite of editors because it is short, punchy, and conveys a specific meaning without needing extra adverbs. You will also hear it in documentaries or historical accounts where the narrator describes a period of hardship, such as 'scant rainfall leading to a devastating famine.'

In everyday conversation, 'scant' is less common than 'little' or 'not much,' but it is used by people who want to be precise or who are speaking in a slightly more formal register. For example, a teacher might tell a student, 'You've paid scant attention to the instructions,' which sounds more serious and corrective than 'You didn't listen.' In the legal field, lawyers use 'scant' to dismiss the opposition's arguments, claiming there is 'scant proof' for their allegations. It is a word that carries weight in an argument. You might also find it in high-end food writing or recipes, where 'a scant tablespoon' is a common instruction for delicate flavors.

Pop culture also uses 'scant' occasionally, particularly in fantasy or historical dramas where the dialogue is more formal. A king might complain about 'scant loyalty' from his subjects. In fashion, 'scantily clad' is a very common derivative phrase used to describe someone wearing very little clothing, often in a suggestive or inappropriate way. This specific phrase is perhaps the most common way the root word 'scant' enters modern casual conversation, though it is an adverbial form. Understanding 'scant' allows you to navigate these different levels of English, from the kitchen to the courtroom to the evening news.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 'scant' as a predicative adjective (after a linking verb). While you can say 'The evidence is scant,' it is much more natural and common to use it before the noun: 'There is scant evidence.' If you use it after the verb, it can sometimes sound a bit awkward or overly poetic. Another mistake is confusing 'scant' with 'scarce.' While they are similar, 'scarce' usually refers to something that is hard to find or not available in sufficient quantities across a whole area (like 'water is scarce in the desert'), whereas 'scant' refers to a specific amount that is just not enough for the current need (like 'he gave scant details').

Learners also sometimes use 'scant' to describe small things that are positive. For example, saying 'I have a scant amount of money left' is correct because it implies a problem, but saying 'I have a scant puppy' to mean a small puppy is incorrect. 'Scant' always implies a deficiency or a lack of something that should be there in greater quantity. Furthermore, avoid using 'scant' with plural countable nouns in a way that sounds like 'few' without the negative nuance. 'Scant people attended' is technically possible but 'Few people attended' is much more common. 'Scant' works best with uncountable nouns like 'attention,' 'evidence,' 'information,' and 'respect.'

Finally, be careful with the phrase 'scantily clad.' Some people use 'scant clad,' which is grammatically incorrect. You must use the adverbial form 'scantily' to modify the participle 'clad.' Similarly, in measurements, 'scant' should not be confused with 'sparse.' 'Sparse' refers to things being spread out over a large area (like 'sparse hair' or 'sparse population'), while 'scant' refers to the total amount being insufficient. If you say a forest is 'scant,' it doesn't make much sense; you should say the trees are 'sparse' or the 'vegetation is scant.'

To truly master 'scant,' it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and understand the subtle differences in meaning. 'Meager' is perhaps the closest synonym, but it often carries a stronger emotional tone of pity or poverty. A 'meager salary' sounds more depressing than 'scant pay.' 'Sparse' is often confused with 'scant,' but 'sparse' describes how things are distributed—thinly scattered over an area. 'Deficient' is more technical and implies that something is missing a vital component or failing to meet a specific standard. 'Minimal' suggests the smallest possible amount, which might be intentional, whereas 'scant' usually implies that the small amount is unintentional or inadequate.

Scant vs. Meager: 'Scant' is often about insufficiency relative to a need, while 'meager' emphasizes the smallness and poor quality of the amount itself.

Scant vs. Sparse: 'Sparse' refers to distribution (e.g., sparse population), while 'scant' refers to quantity (e.g., scant resources).

Scant vs. Scarce: 'Scarce' means hard to find or in short supply generally; 'scant' means barely enough for a specific purpose.

Other alternatives include 'limited,' which is a very neutral and safe word to use in almost any context. 'Inadequate' is a more direct way to say that something is not enough, and it is often used when there is a clear standard that hasn't been met. 'Paucity' is a high-level noun that means a smallness of number or 'scantness.' For example, 'a paucity of evidence' is a more formal way of saying 'scant evidence.' Understanding these alternatives allows you to choose the word that best fits the tone and precision of your writing, whether you are writing a casual email or a formal dissertation.

How Formal Is It?

正式

中性

非正式

Child friendly

俚语

趣味小知识

The word is related to the modern Icelandic word 'skammur.' It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe things that are short in measure or quantity.

发音指南

UK /skænt/

US /skænt/

The word is a single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.

押韵词

pant rant slant chant grant plant ant can't

常见错误

Pronouncing the 'a' like in 'want' (skont).
Dropping the final 't' sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'scantily' (SCAN-ti-ly).
Making the 'a' sound too long like in 'can't' (in some UK dialects).
Adding an extra syllable at the end.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

Common in news and books, but easy to guess from context.

写作 4/5

Requires knowledge of proper collocations like 'scant regard'.

口语 4/5

Sounds a bit formal for casual chat, but great for presentations.

听力 3/5

Distinct sound, usually easy to hear in clear speech.

接下来学什么

前置知识

little few enough short small

接下来学习

meager sparse deficient paucity scarcity

高级

exiguous niggardly parsimonious stint scrimp

需要掌握的语法

Adjectives before Nouns

He gave a scant explanation.

Uncountable Nouns

There is scant information available.

Comparative Adjectives

The resources were scanter than we expected.

Adverb Formation

The room was scantly furnished.

Negative Polarity

Scant is often used in negative or critical contexts.

按水平分级的例句

He has scant money in his pocket.

He has very little money.

Scant comes before the noun 'money'.

There is scant food on the plate.

There is not much food.

Scant is used with the uncountable noun 'food'.

She gave scant help to her friend.

She gave very little help.

Scant describes the amount of help.

We have scant time to play.

We have almost no time.

Scant is used here to mean 'not enough'.

The cat had scant milk in its bowl.

The cat had very little milk.

Scant modifies 'milk'.

He paid scant attention to the teacher.

He did not listen much.

Scant attention is a common phrase.

There was scant rain last month.

There was very little rain.

Scant describes the weather.

The room had scant light.

The room was dark.

Scant describes the amount of light.

The hiker had scant water for the long walk.

The hiker did not have enough water.

Scant emphasizes the insufficiency.

They showed scant interest in the new movie.

They were not very interested.

Interest is an uncountable noun.

The report provides scant information about the accident.

The report doesn't say much.

Information is modified by scant.

He has scant experience in this kind of work.

He hasn't done this work much before.

Scant experience means a lack of skill.

The birds found scant seeds in the snow.

The birds found very few seeds.

Scant is used with plural 'seeds' here.

She gave him a scant smile before leaving.

She gave a very small, quick smile.

Scant describes a brief action.

There is scant hope of finding the lost key.

It is unlikely they will find the key.

Scant hope is a common expression.

The village has scant resources for the winter.

The village doesn't have enough supplies.

Resources is a plural noun.

The city council paid scant regard to the residents' complaints.

They ignored the complaints.

'Scant regard' means ignoring or showing no respect.

With scant evidence, the police could not make an arrest.

There wasn't enough proof.

Scant is used to justify a lack of action.

The book offers scant detail about the author's early life.

The book doesn't tell us much about his childhood.

Detail is often modified by scant.

He survived on a scant diet of bread and water.

His food was very limited and poor.

Scant diet implies hardship.

The two towns are a scant five miles apart.

The distance is barely five miles.

Scant used with a measurement to mean 'barely'.

There was scant support for the new tax proposal.

Almost no one liked the idea.

Support is an uncountable noun.

The plants died due to scant rainfall during the summer.

It didn't rain enough for the plants.

Scant rainfall is a common environmental term.

She had scant knowledge of the local language.

She knew very little of the language.

Knowledge is modified by scant.

The witness provided scant details, making the investigation difficult.

The information was too limited to be useful.

Scant details implies a lack of cooperation or memory.

He treated the safety regulations with scant respect.

He didn't care about the rules.

'Scant respect' is a strong way to describe negligence.

There is scant possibility of a recovery in the current market.

It is very unlikely things will get better.

Scant possibility means a very low chance.

The refugees were found in scant clothing despite the freezing cold.

They weren't wearing enough clothes for the weather.

Scant clothing implies vulnerability.

The film received scant praise from the critics.

The critics didn't like the film much.

Praise is an uncountable noun.

The manager gave scant thought to the consequences of his decision.

He didn't think about what might happen.

'Scant thought' suggests impulsiveness.

They had scant resources to deal with the sudden crisis.

They were unprepared and lacked supplies.

Resources is plural.

The article was criticized for its scant coverage of the event.

The article didn't report enough on the event.

Coverage is modified by scant.

The historical record is scant on the details of her early reign.

There is very little written history about that time.

Scant can be used predicatively here, though less common.

He showed scant appreciation for the sacrifices his parents made.

He was ungrateful.

'Scant appreciation' is a sophisticated way to describe ingratitude.

The proposal was met with scant enthusiasm by the board members.

The board members were not excited at all.

Enthusiasm is modified by scant.

There has been scant improvement in the patient's condition.

The patient is not getting much better.

Improvement is an uncountable noun.

The desert landscape offered scant shelter from the sun.

There was almost nowhere to hide from the heat.

Shelter is modified by scant.

The legal team argued that the evidence was scant and circumstantial.

The proof was weak and not direct.

Scant is paired with 'circumstantial' for emphasis.

She had scant time for such trivial matters.

She was too busy for unimportant things.

Scant time implies a busy schedule.

The play was performed to a scant audience of ten people.

Very few people came to see the play.

Scant audience highlights the low attendance.

The scholar lamented the scant attention paid to 14th-century poets.

The scholar was sad that these poets are ignored.

Lamented and scant create a formal, academic tone.

The treaty was signed with scant regard for the long-term geopolitical implications.

They didn't think about the future problems the treaty might cause.

A complex sentence using 'scant regard' in a political context.

There is scant, if any, justification for such a drastic measure.

There is almost no reason for this action.

The 'scant, if any' construction is a high-level rhetorical device.

The novelist's prose is known for its scant use of adjectives.

The writer uses very few descriptive words.

Scant use describes a stylistic choice.

He possessed a scant knowledge of the intricate workings of the law.

He knew almost nothing about how the law actually works.

Scant knowledge emphasizes ignorance in a complex field.

The expedition was doomed by scant planning and even scanter supplies.

Poor planning and lack of food caused the failure.

Using the comparative 'scanter' for emphasis.

The critics gave the performance scant credit for its innovative staging.

They didn't recognize how creative the staging was.

'Scant credit' means failing to give proper recognition.

She lived a life of scant comfort but great intellectual richness.

She was poor but very smart and well-read.

Scant comfort contrasts with intellectual richness.

常见搭配

scant attention

scant evidence

scant regard

scant resources

scant respect

scant detail

scant information

scant comfort

scant sympathy

scant rainfall

常用短语

scantily clad

scant, if any

a scant cup

scant hours

scant justification

scant mercy

scant praise

scant recognition

scant progress

scant interest

容易混淆的词

scant vs scarce

Scarce means hard to find generally; scant means not enough for a specific need.

scant vs sparse

Sparse refers to things being spread out; scant refers to the total amount being low.

scant vs meager

Meager often implies poverty or poor quality; scant focuses on insufficiency.

习语与表达

"pay scant attention"

To ignore or give very little thought to something. It is used to criticize someone's lack of focus.

The driver paid scant attention to the speed limit.

neutral

"with scant regard for"

Acting without caring about the consequences or the feelings of others.

He drove with scant regard for the safety of others.

formal

"scant comfort"

Something that is supposed to make you feel better but actually doesn't help much.

Knowing others failed too was scant comfort to him.

neutral

"scant of breath"

An old-fashioned way to say short of breath or having difficulty breathing.

The old man was scant of breath after climbing the stairs.

literary/archaic

"make scant work of"

To do something very quickly or without much effort, often used for eating or tasks.

The hungry dog made scant work of the bowl of food.

informal

"scant hope"

A very small possibility that something good will happen.

There is scant hope for a peaceful resolution.

neutral

"scant evidence"

A phrase used to dismiss a claim as being unsupported by facts.

The theory was based on scant evidence.

academic

"scant resources"

Having very little money, people, or materials to do a job.

The charity works with scant resources to help the poor.

neutral

"scant detail"

Providing very little information, often intentionally.

The spy gave scant detail about his mission.

neutral

"scant respect"

Treating someone or something as if they are not important.

The teenager showed scant respect for his teachers.

neutral

容易混淆

scant vs scanty

They are very similar in meaning and form.

Scanty is often used for physical things like clothing, while scant is used for abstract things like attention.

She wore a scanty dress. He paid scant attention.

scant vs scantily

It is the adverb form of scant.

Scantily is an adverb used to modify adjectives or verbs.

The room was scantily decorated.

scant vs scantling

Sounds similar but has a different meaning.

A scantling is a piece of lumber or a small amount, but it's a noun.

The carpenter selected a scantling of wood.

scant vs scan

Shares the same first four letters.

Scan is a verb meaning to look over quickly.

I need to scan the document.

scant vs scant

Can be confused with 'can't' in fast speech.

Scant is an adjective; can't is a contraction of cannot.

I have scant time. I can't go.

句型

There is scant + [uncountable noun].

There is scant food in the house.

[Subject] paid scant attention to [Object].

He paid scant attention to the sign.

With scant + [noun], [result].

With scant evidence, the case was dropped.

A scant + [measurement] + [noun].

A scant mile from here.

[Subject] showed scant regard for [Object].

The company showed scant regard for the environment.

The [noun] was criticized for its scant [noun].

The book was criticized for its scant detail.

There is scant, if any, [noun].

There is scant, if any, proof of his guilt.

[Subject] is scant of [noun].

The runner was scant of breath.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Common in written English, less common in casual spoken English.

常见错误

Using 'scant' to mean 'small' in a positive way. → Using 'small' or 'tiny.'
'Scant' always implies that the small amount is a problem or is insufficient. You wouldn't say 'a scant puppy.'
Saying 'scant of' instead of just 'scant' before a noun. → I have scant money.
You don't need 'of' after 'scant' when it's an adjective. 'Scant of breath' is a rare exception.
Confusing 'scant' with 'scarce.' → Water is scarce in the desert. He gave scant details.
'Scarce' is for general availability; 'scant' is for a specific amount being not enough.
Using 'scant' as a verb in modern casual speech. → Don't give me too little butter.
While 'scant' can be a verb, it is very formal and rare. Stick to the adjective form.
Misspelling it as 'skant.' → scant
Although it comes from 'skant,' the modern English spelling is always with a 'c'.

小贴士

Formal Writing

Use 'scant' in your essays to describe a lack of evidence or research. It sounds much more professional than 'not much research.'

Common Pairs

Memorize 'scant attention' and 'scant regard.' These are the most common ways you will hear the word used in real life.

Be Precise

In cooking or measuring distance, use 'scant' to mean 'just under.' For example, 'a scant mile' is slightly less than a full mile.

Synonym Choice

Choose 'scant' over 'meager' when you want to focus on the fact that the amount is not enough for a specific purpose.

Placement

Always try to put 'scant' before the noun. 'Scant information' sounds better than 'the information was scant.'

Short 'A'

Make sure the 'a' in 'scant' is short, like in 'apple' or 'cat.' Don't make it sound like 'ah' or 'oh.'

Avoid Overuse

Because 'scant' is a strong word, don't use it too often in one paragraph. Save it for when you really want to emphasize a lack.

News Reading

When reading the news, look for 'scant.' It's a favorite word of journalists to describe failed negotiations or poor results.

Scantily

Remember the adverb 'scantily' for describing how things are decorated or how people are dressed (scantily clad).

Norse Roots

Think of the Old Norse meaning 'short' to help you remember that 'scant' means something has been cut short or is not long enough.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of 'scant' as 'can't.' If you have scant resources, you CAN'T finish the job because you don't have enough.

视觉联想

Imagine a 'scant' cup of water. It's a cup that is almost full, but not quite. It's just a little bit short of the line.

Word Web

insufficient meager little barely short lacking limited deficient

挑战

Try to use 'scant' in three different sentences today: one about time, one about evidence, and one about attention.

词源

The word 'scant' comes from the Middle English word 'skant,' which was borrowed from the Old Norse word 'skamt.'

原始含义： In Old Norse, 'skamt' was the neuter of 'skammr,' meaning 'short' or 'brief.'

Germanic (Old Norse/Middle English).

文化背景

The phrase 'scantily clad' can be sensitive as it often involves judgments about women's clothing.

Commonly used in quality journalism (The Guardian, NYT) to describe deficiencies.

Shakespeare used 'scant' in Hamlet: 'He's fat and scant of breath.' Used in many 19th-century novels to describe the lives of the poor. Frequently appears in legal judgments to describe insufficient evidence.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Academic Writing

scant evidence
scant scholarly attention
scant data
scant literature

Legal/Journalism

scant regard for the law
scant details provided
scant progress in talks
scant justification

Cooking/Measurement

a scant cup
a scant teaspoon
scant five miles
scant hour

Social/Emotional

scant respect
scant sympathy
scant comfort
scant appreciation

Environmental

scant rainfall
scant resources
scant vegetation
scant water supply

对话开场白

"Why do you think some people pay scant attention to climate change warnings?"

"Have you ever had to finish a project with scant resources? How did you do it?"

"Do you think there is scant evidence for the existence of aliens?"

"In your opinion, is there scant respect for tradition in modern society?"

"What would you do if you had a scant hour to explore a new city?"

日记主题

Write about a time you felt someone paid scant regard to your feelings. How did you react?

Describe a situation where you had to make a big decision with scant information.

Reflect on a hobby or subject that you feel receives scant attention from the general public.

Imagine living in a place with scant resources. What would your daily life look like?

Write a story about a character who has scant hope but never gives up.

常见问题

10 个问题

Yes, 'scant' almost always has a negative connotation because it implies that something is insufficient or not enough. It is used to highlight a lack or a deficiency in something that is needed.

You can use it to describe a group of people, like 'a scant audience,' but you wouldn't use it to describe a person's size. For a person, you would use 'thin' or 'slight.' Using 'scant' for people usually refers to their number, not their physical appearance.

'Little' is a general word for a small amount. 'Scant' is more formal and specifically means 'barely enough.' If you have 'little money,' you have a small amount. If you have 'scant money,' it emphasizes that you don't have enough for what you need to buy.

In a recipe, 'a scant cup' means you should fill the cup almost to the top, but leave a little bit of space. It is the opposite of a 'heaping cup,' which is filled over the top. It's a way to be very precise with measurements.

Yes, it is used in both American and British English. It is common in American journalism, academic writing, and in the phrase 'scantily clad.' It is a standard part of the vocabulary in all major English dialects.

Yes, 'scant' can be a verb meaning to limit or to provide an inadequate amount. For example, 'Don't scant the butter in this recipe.' However, this usage is much less common today than the adjective form.

'Scant regard' means having very little respect or consideration for something. If a company has 'scant regard for the environment,' it means they do not care if they cause pollution or damage nature.

Yes, it is often introduced at the B1 or B2 level. It is a 'bridge' word that helps learners move from basic vocabulary (like 'little') to more academic and professional language.

Common antonyms include 'abundant,' 'ample,' 'plentiful,' and 'copious.' These words all describe having a large or more than sufficient amount of something.

While grammatically possible, it is much more natural to say 'there was scant food.' 'Scant' is most commonly used as an attributive adjective, meaning it comes directly before the noun it describes.