What does scant mean?
Scant is an adjective meaning small or insufficient in amount, degree, or attention. It is commonly used with nouns such as attention, evidence, resources, and information: a subject receives scant attention, or a conclusion is supported by scant evidence. The word can also mean barely present or limited, as in "scant regard" or "scant rain." In formal writing, it often suggests that something is not sufficient for the purpose intended, rather than merely describing an ordinary small amount. Scant is established in both British and American English. Its related form scanty is more often used as an adjective meaning sparse or limited in quantity, while scantly and scantness are less common derivatives.
Existing or available in only a small or insufficient amount.
"The committee had scant evidence with which to reach a decision."
Common in formal English, especially with attention, evidence, resources, and time.
Barely or scarcely; only to a slight degree.
"The proposed changes were scant discussed before the meeting ended."
Less common than the adjective and chiefly used in formal or literary contexts.
Scant comes from the idea of having so little that barely enough remains—its modern uses often describe something present but conspicuously insufficient.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scant come from?
The word scant entered Middle English in the late medieval period, borrowing from Anglo-Norman and ultimately from Old French. Its modern sense developed from older meanings involving smallness, lack, or deficiency. Related English forms include scanty, scantly, and scantness, which reflect the same historical root and the idea of limited quantity.
Related word forms
How scant is actually used
Scant is formal and often conveys insufficiency or lack of adequacy. In phrases such as "scant attention" and "scant evidence," it is standard in both British and American English; "scanty" is more common as an adjective describing a small quantity.
Easily confused with scant
Scant usually describes something that is insufficient in amount or barely present, while scanty more often means naturally sparse or limited in quantity.