Skip to main content
beggarly

beggarly

8.0
A very small amount that is not worth much
  • adjective
  • /ˈbɛɡərli/
translation icon : ridículo
  • The workers protested against the beggarly wages offered by the factory.

Examples

  • They were forced to accept a beggarly sum for their valuable land.

  • The beggarly amount offered was insulting.

  • He made a beggarly donation that barely covered the cost of a meal.

  • She received a beggarly sum for her hard work.

  • The donations they received were beggarly, barely enough to cover the needs of the community.

  • Despite their hard work, their pay was so beggarly that they struggled to make ends meet.

  • His beggarly salary made it difficult for him to support his family.

Synonyms

poor
vsbeggarly
838 1.0

Not good enough in quality or amount

is specifically about contemptibly tiny amounts, not general low quality
mean
vsbeggarly
65 4.7

Poor and in bad condition with little value

emphasizes contemptible smallness rather than general low quality
pitiful
vsbeggarly
54 3.9

So bad or weak that people feel angry and look down on it

stresses contemptible smallness of amount rather than general badness
miserable
vsbeggarly
50 2.8

A very small amount or poor quality

carries stronger contemptible smallness than general low quality
deficient
vsbeggarly
35 4.3

Not having enough of something needed

focuses on contemptible small amount size not missing essentials
stingy
vsbeggarly
4 4.4

Small in amount and not enough for what you need

highlights contemptible inadequacy rather than mere smallness
miserly
vsbeggarly
3 7.9

Not willing to spend or give money even when they have enough

is about tiny contemptible amounts, not about a person's reluctance to give
penurious
vsbeggarly
  • Formal
1 9.9

Very poor and unable to pay for basic needs

refers to contemptibly small amounts rather than long-term poverty
measly amount
vsbeggarly
  • Informal
5.1

A very small amount that is not enough

is even more contemptible and visibly inadequate in size
scrimy
vsbeggarly
  • Archaic
9.9

Unwilling to give money or things

relates to tiny contemptible amounts rather than an ungenerous attitude

Antonyms

328 1.6

Willing to give more than is expected, especially money or time

104 3.7

More than enough for what is needed

How Small

beggarly
8.0
paltry
22 7.1
measly
  • Informal
29 6.3
small
1.0

Surface Forms

beggarly positive

Morphology

beggarly = beggar (transparent) = beggar + ly

Derived from 'beggar' with '-ly'; the sense 'meagre, contemptibly small' is a common figurative extension but remains predictable from the base.

Etymology

Beggarly comes from beggar and the idea of begging 'asking for a very small help'. So a beggarly amount is a very small, almost worthless sum that is not enough.