pittance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pittance' is correct and usable in written English.
It means a very small or inadequate amount of money or income. You can use it in situations when referring to a payment or salary that is considered to be insufficient or inadequate. Here is an example sentence: "She worked tirelessly for years, but all she received as a pittance in return was a meager salary that barely covered her basic expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He never quite understood that I offered him just a pittance just to get rid of him to spend the last few minutes with Pelé." Pelé had to catch a plane, Toye went back to the motel to celebrate because his flight wasn't leaving until the next day.

The Guardian - Sport

The women were bought off with a pittance.

The Guardian

Homebuilt stalls, chock full of mandarins, oranges and fresh eggs selling for a pittance.

The Guardian

SBS paid the standard broadcast fee which was a "pittance", Ebeid said.

The Guardian

She had a pittance in the bank at the time, but a reckless dream of copying the old Pak Tea House in Lahore where radicals used to meet.

The Economist

Olympic Airlines was forced to deliver newspapers for a pittance to keep the country's press barons happy.

The Economist

Tied publicans earn a pittance, less than £15,000 a year in nearly half of all cases.

The Economist

Even this pittance was beyond the means of many Haitians, and she would accept perhaps a bag of fruit instead.

The Economist

But this is a pittance compared with the possible savings from avoiding expensive half-term breaks.

The Economist

Hence a headline-grabbing growl on the first day of the conference from John Edmonds, general secretary of the GMB, Britain's fourth-biggest union, and this year's TUC president, denouncing any company boss awarding himself a huge rise while his workers get a pittance as a "greedy bastard".

The Economist

The 500 foreign men who inhabit this Victorian edifice in west London are criminals and a drain on public funds; moreover, they are usually prepared to work for a pittance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pittance" to express disapproval or criticism of an amount that is considered unfairly small, especially when compared to a larger sum or expectation. For instance, "The workers were paid a "pittance" while the CEO received a huge bonus."

Common error

Avoid using "pittance" in neutral contexts where a small amount is simply factual. "Pittance" carries a negative connotation, implying injustice or meanness. Instead, use neutral terms like "small amount" or "modest sum" if no value judgment is intended.

Linguistic Context

The noun "pittance" functions as a quantifier or a descriptor of an insufficient amount of something, typically money or resources. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it modifies a noun, highlighting the inadequacy of the specified amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pittance" is a noun used to describe a meager or inadequate amount of money or compensation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, often carrying a negative connotation to express dissatisfaction with the small amount. The related phrases emphasize the sentiment of insufficiency. When using "pittance", be mindful of its critical tone; alternatives like "small amount" might be more appropriate in neutral contexts. In conclusion, understand the weight behind the word, as the numerous examples found by Ludwig indicate its impact. While it is not incorrect, it is important to know the connotation of the word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager sum

Emphasizes the small and unsatisfactory nature of the amount of money.

trifling amount

Highlights the insignificance and lack of value of the quantity.

insufficient wage

Specifically refers to earnings that do not meet the required needs or expectations.

scant allowance

Implies a limited or restricted provision of resources or funds.

nominal payment

Suggests a payment that is very small and often symbolic rather than substantial.

small remuneration

Focuses on the inadequacy of the compensation received for services.

minimal compensation

Highlights the bare minimum level of payment or reward.

paltry income

Emphasizes the worthlessness of earnings.

inadequate compensation

Refers to a compensation that does not fully cover the effort and expenses.

insignificant sum

Indicates the quantity is so small as to be negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "pittance" in a sentence?

Use "pittance" to describe a small or inadequate amount of money or resources. For example, "The company offered a mere "pittance" in severance pay after years of service."

What are some alternatives to saying "pittance"?

You can use alternatives like "meager sum", "trifling amount", or "scant allowance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a small pittance"? Doesn't "pittance" already imply smallness?

While "pittance" inherently implies smallness, adding "small" isn't strictly incorrect, but it can be redundant. Consider other phrasing that avoids redundancy. For example: "insufficient wage" or "nominal payment".

What's the difference between "pittance" and "fortune"?

"Pittance" refers to a very small or inadequate amount, while "fortune" describes a large sum of money or a significant amount of wealth. They are opposites: one implies scarcity, the other abundance.