Meager and meagre are two spellings of the same word, meaning lacking in quantity, amount, or quality. The only difference is where they’re used: meager is the standard spelling in American English, while meagre is preferred in British English and other varieties of English.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is it meager or meagre? | Both are correct. Meager is American English, while meagre is British English. |
| What does meager mean? | It means small, insufficient, or lacking in quantity or quality. |
| What does meagre mean? | It has the same meaning as meager and is mainly used in British English. |
| Which spelling should I use? | Use meager for American English and meagre for British English. |
Meager vs Meagre at a Glance
| Feature | Meager | Meagre |
| Part of speech | Adjective | Adjective |
| Main meaning | Small, insufficient, poor, or lacking richness | Small, insufficient, poor, or lacking richness |
| US English | Preferred | Less common |
| British English | Less common | Preferred |
| Pronunciation | Generally the same | Generally the same |
| Meaning difference | None | None |
| Example | a meager salary | a meagre salary |
| Related noun | meagerness | meagreness |
| Related adverb | meagerly | meagrely |
What Does Meager Mean?
Meager means very small in amount, quantity, quality, or richness, especially when something falls below what would normally be expected or needed.
For example, if someone earns a meager salary, the salary isn’t simply small. The word often suggests that the salary is not enough for the person’s needs or does not adequately reflect the work involved.
Meager Often Implies “Not Enough”
Compare these sentences:
- She received a small payment.
- She received a meager payment.
The first sentence simply gives you information about size. The second carries an opinion. It suggests that the payment was too small, disappointing, or inadequate.
What Does Meagre Mean?
Meagre has the same meaning as meager.
The spelling meagre is especially associated with British English. Cambridge identifies it as the UK spelling of meager, while Oxford gives meager as the US English form.
Meager vs Meagre: What Is the Difference?
The difference between meager and meagre is primarily regional spelling.
Meager Is the US Spelling
American English generally uses meager.
Meagre Is the British Spelling
British English generally uses meagre.
The Difference Is Similar to Other Regional Spellings
| US English | British English |
| meager | meagre |
| center | centre |
| meter | metre |
| fiber | fibre |
| theater | theatre |
| color | colour |
| favor | favour |
| honor | honour |
Is Meager or Meagre Correct?
Both are correct.
The correct choice depends on the English variety you’re using.
Use “Meager” in US English
Choose meager when writing for an American audience.
Use “Meagre” in British English
Choose meagre when following British English conventions.
Meager vs Meagre Examples
| US English | British English |
| The family survived on a meager income. | The family survived on a meagre income. |
| The company offered a meager salary. | The company offered a meagre salary. |
| The investigation produced meager results. | The investigation produced meagre results. |
| The village had meager resources. | The village had meagre resources. |
| The harvest was meager this year. | The harvest was meagre this year. |
How to Use Meager in a Sentence
Meager works as an adjective. It usually comes before a noun or after a linking verb.
Before a Noun
Examples include:
- a meager salary
- a meager income
- a meager supply
- meager resources
- meager results
- a meager meal
After a Linking Verb
Examples:
The harvest was meager.
Their resources were meager.
The evidence remained meager.
How to Use Meagre in a Sentence
Meagre follows the same grammatical patterns as meager.
The harvest was meagre.
Their income was meagre.
The organization had meagre resources.
The only change is the spelling.
Common Collocations With Meager and Meagre
Common combinations include:
- meager income / meagre income
- meager salary / meagre salary
- meager resources / meagre resources
- meager supply / meagre supply
- meager results / meagre results
- meager meal / meagre meal
- meager harvest / meagre harvest
- meager evidence / meagre evidence
Meager vs Meagre Pronunciation
The two spellings generally have the same pronunciation.
A simple learner friendly approximation is:
MEE gur
The first syllable carries the main stress.
Meager vs Meagre: Word Origin
The history of this word is older than the modern American and British spelling distinction.
Merriam Webster traces meager to Middle English megre, which came through Anglo French and Old French forms related to maigre. Ultimately, the word connects to Latin macer, meaning lean or thin.
The original idea was closely connected to thinness or lack of flesh.
Over time, that physical idea expanded to describe food, land, resources, income, results, and other things that could be considered insufficient or lacking in richness.
| US English | British English |
| meager | meagre |
| meagerly | meagrely |
| meagerness | meagreness |
Meager vs Meagre: Similar Words and Their Differences
Scant emphasizes that there is less than enough.
Meager vs Sparse
Sparse usually describes something spread thinly across an area or space.
Meager vs Scarce
Scarce means difficult to find or available in limited supply.
Meager vs Inadequate
Inadequate directly means not good enough or not sufficient.
Meager vs Paltry
Paltry often expresses stronger criticism or contempt.
Meager vs Meagre: A Useful Style Guide
| Your situation | Best choice |
| American English | meager |
| British English | meagre |
| US academic writing | meager |
| UK academic writing | meagre |
| US business writing | meager |
| UK business writing | meagre |
| Publication with a house style | Follow its style guide |
| Quoting a source | Preserve the original spelling |
Common Mistakes With Meager and Meagre
Mistake: Thinking Meagre Is Wrong
It isn’t. Meagre is a standard British spelling.
Mistake: Thinking Meager Is Wrong
It isn’t. Meager is a standard American spelling.
Mistake: Assuming the Words Have Different Meanings
They don’t. Both forms describe something that is small, insufficient, poor, or lacking richness.
Mistake: Mixing the Spellings Without a Reason
Choose one regional spelling system and use it consistently.
Is Meager Always Negative?
Usually, meager carries a negative or critical implication, especially when describing an amount that falls below expectations.
Compare:
The company gave employees a small bonus.
with:
The company gave employees a meager bonus.
The first sentence is neutral. The second suggests disappointment.
What Is the Opposite of Meager?
Depending on context, useful opposites include:
- abundant
- ample
- plentiful
- generous
- substantial
- rich
- adequate
Frequently Asked Questions About Meager vs Meagre
Is “meager” or “meagre” correct?
Both are correct. Meager is the standard US spelling, while meagre is the standard British spelling.
Is meager American or British English?
Meager is the preferred American English spelling.
Is meagre American or British English?
Meagre is the preferred British English spelling.
Do meager and meagre mean the same thing?
Yes. Both words describe something that is small, insufficient, poor, or lacking in richness or quality.
Do meager and meagre have the same pronunciation?
They generally have the same pronunciation, although the exact final sound can vary by regional accent.
Can Americans use “meagre”?
Yes. Americans will generally understand meagre, but meager is the conventional US spelling.
Can British writers use “meager”?
Yes. British readers will understand meager, but meagre is the conventional British spelling.
What does meager mean?
Meager means very small, insufficient, poor, or lacking in richness or quality.
What does meagre mean?
Meagre has the same meaning as meager. It is the spelling traditionally preferred in British English.
What is the noun form of meager?
The US noun is meagerness. The British form is meagreness.
What is the adverb form of meager?
The US form is meagerly. The British form is meagrely.
Meager vs Meagre: Final Verdict
The meager vs meagre distinction has a simple answer.
Meager is the standard spelling in US English.
The easiest rule to remember is:
American English → meager
British English → meagre
When you know your audience, the choice becomes easy.
