skimpy

If a portion of food is skimpy, it's disappointingly small. The word describes something that is lacking in amount or coverage - barely enough. A skimpy paycheck won't cover all your bills, and a skimpy Halloween costume might leave you shivering in the cold. It often suggests that too little was given. Think of a villain offering a skimpy reward for your help - they're being stingy.

Skimpy describes something that is deficient, inadequate, or meager - falling far short of what is expected or wanted. It suggests a lack of generosity, substance, or fullness. The word is closely related to the verb "skimp," which means to provide the bare minimum or to be stingy with resources.

You might describe a skimpy serving of mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving as barely enough to taste. Or perhaps a character in a story is given a skimpy allowance by their parents - just enough to cover basic needs but nothing more. In the world of fashion, skimpy specifically refers to clothing that is very short or revealing, such as a skimpy bikini or a summer dress that barely provides coverage.

The word isn't limited to physical items; you can also use it to describe abstract things. A skimpy explanation for a complicated event leaves you with more questions than answers, and a skimpy plot in a movie feels underdeveloped and unsatisfying. It often carries a negative tone, implying that something is being held back or isn't good enough. So, if something feels lacking, insufficient, or just plain stingy, it's likely skimpy.