scant man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant man" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
It could be used to describe a man who is thin or lacking in substance, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The scant man walked past, his frame barely noticeable among the crowd."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This radical departure occurred twice within a 2-year span, pulling me out of my comfort zone into a place of scant man-made distractions.

Huffington Post

Although SHBG levels have been reported in population studies, there is scant information for men presenting with clinical symptoms.

European Urology Focus

From that point, details are scant: the two men somehow got into a fight, during which Mr Zimmerman says his nose was broken, before he shot the unarmed 17-year-old.

The Economist

(Feminists, it should be noted, are also the only ones I see defending LaBeouf. The scant response from "men's rights activists", supposed champions of male victims, seems to mainly revolve around how effeminate LaBeouf is for not fighting his attacker hard enough).

The Guardian - Opinion

The United States Army, the board found, had only eight training planes, nine scout planes scattered through Texas, California, Hawaii, and the Philippines, no dirigibles, and but five pilots with eight in training; yet the Navy was in "an even more embryonic and chaotic state". Its equipment was scant and its men were all too few.

University of Chicago

With grants from the Jim Henson Foundation and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Sanko set to work on a show built around his puppets, most of them gaunt-looking men scant of hair and long of face.

Los Angeles Times

But with his career nearing its conclusion, Fernando Alonso's haul of two world titles feels like scant reward for a man of such extensive talents.

Vice

SIR —Your article on the disaster of Alberto Gonzales's Justice Department gives scant attention to the man who put him there.

The Economist

It has survived cascading investigations, only to find its fate in the hands of a man with scant prosecutorial experience.

The New York Times

The nomination as CIA director of a man with scant background in the spy business caused much surprise, even among fellow Democrats.

Independent

Mr Naki was already a hero, as a man of scant education who had trained himself to carry out extremely difficult transplants on animals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant man", consider if a more common phrase like "thin man" or "slight man" would be clearer and more easily understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "scant man" when you intend to convey pity or condescension. The word 'scant' can sometimes carry a negative connotation of inadequacy, so be mindful of the context and intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant man" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "scant" modifies the noun "man", describing a man lacking in some quality, substance, or attribute. Ludwig AI highlights the rarity of this construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scant man" is a somewhat unusual adjective-noun combination, where "scant" modifies "man" to suggest a deficiency or lack. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a common expression and provides more conventional alternatives like "thin man" or "slight man". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, though its overall usage is rare. When considering the phrase, it's important to be aware of the potential negative connotations of "scant" and ensure that a more common phrase wouldn't better serve the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thin man

Focuses on physical appearance, specifically the man's lack of body mass.

slight man

Emphasizes a small or delicate build.

meager man

Highlights a lack of substance or resources in the man's life.

poorly equipped man

Stresses the man's lack of necessary resources or skills.

man with limited resources

Directly states the man's lack of available resources.

man of few words

Implies a lack of communication or expressiveness.

insubstantial man

Suggests a lack of importance or impact.

man of modest means

Emphasizes the man's humble financial situation.

underdeveloped man

Highlights a lack of physical or intellectual development.

man with little influence

Focuses on the man's lack of power or authority.

FAQs

What does "scant" mean?

The word "scant" means barely sufficient or inadequate. It suggests a lack of something, whether it's quantity, quality, or size.

Is "scant man" a common phrase?

No, "scant man" is not a commonly used phrase. Alternatives such as "thin man" or "slight man" are more typical when describing someone's physical build. "Scant" is more often used with abstract nouns like "attention" or "evidence".

What are some other ways to describe a man with limited resources?

You could describe him as a "man of modest means", a "poorly equipped man", or a "man with limited resources".

How can I use "scant" correctly in a sentence?

Instead of "scant man", consider using "scant" to describe abstract concepts. For example, "There was scant evidence to support the claim", or "He paid scant attention to the details".