measly

[mee-zlee]

adjective

measlier, measliest 

1. Informal.

   1. contemptibly small, meager, or slight.

      They paid me a measly fifteen dollars for a day's work.

   2. wretchedly bad or unsatisfactory.

      a measly performance.

2. infected with measles, as an animal or its flesh.

3. pertaining to or resembling measles.

measly

/ ˈmiːzlɪ /

adjective

1. informal,  meagre in quality or quantity

2. (of meat) measled

3. having or relating to measles

Word History and Origins

Origin of measly¹

First recorded in 1680–90; measl(es) + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of measly¹

C17: see _measles

Example Sentences

My measly basket is filled with nothing but candy, earning a few snide looks from my cashier.

From Salon

And most impressively of all, the measly 10 break points he faced during the fortnight are the lowest of any Grand Slam winner since 1991.

From BBC

The Conservatives described the deal as "measly" , saying "barely any" small boat arrivals are now Iraqi.

From BBC

A $9 grilled cheese sandwich came with a measly piece of bacon, thick globs of half-melted cheese and two slices of burnt Texas Toast.

From Salon

Guards meted out measly portions of beans and tortillas and told the inmates they “would never eat chicken or meat again.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• meager 
• miserable 
• miserly 
• paltry 
• pitiful 
• puny