exiguous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exiguous
First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin exiguus “scanty in measure or number, small,” equivalent to exig(ere) “to drive out, measure, exact” + -uus adjective suffix; see origin at exigent, -ous ( def. )
Explanation
If I had more than an exiguous amount of space here, I'd be able to tell you more about the fact that exiguous means a tiny amount. Exiguous is one of those words that comes in handy when you're really trying to draw attention to the fact that there's very little of something. Otherwise you could just say "tiny," "small," "niggling," or even "scanty." Without more than the exiguous scraps of information currently available, there's simply no way to know who left the offending pile in the hallway, let alone when. If you expect more than just exiguous payment in return, you're going to have to do more than an exiguous amount of work.
Vocabulary lists containing exiguous
Quiz yourself on these words spoken by the man at the center of the "Laurel" / "Yanny" craze!
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Babbitt
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The result of the court’s linguistic analysis is an exiguous textual opinion based on parsing dictionaries instead of a functional understanding even minimally consistent with basic science.
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2023
Elizabeth is effectively obliterated and yet one immediately recognises her from this exiguous after-image.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 2, 2012
Expectorating on an enemy's final resting place is exactly the kind of exiguous act of vengeance that a contemporary injured party might just be able to manage.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 24, 2011
Lopez has only an exiguous notion of what real gay life is like, but such misapprehensions are not uncommon among young people with same-sex attractions.
From Time Magazine Archive
Flora saw her father trembling in all his exiguous length, though he held himself stiffer than ever if that was possible.
From Chance A Tale in Two Parts by Conrad, Joseph
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
