Meager most nearly means:

• A. Meek or feeble
• B. Inadequate
• C. Deficient in quantity; less than is needed or necessary
• D. Generous

Answer: (C)

Meager describes something small in amount and not enough to meet what’s needed. This word pinpoints a shortfall in quantity, so the best match is the option that defines being deficient in quantity and less than what’s necessary. You can think of meager wages, meager resources, or a meager portion—all signaling scarcity. The other ideas don’t fit as neatly: meek or feeble refers to character or strength, not amount; inadequate is close but broader and doesn’t always focus on quantity; generous is the opposite of meager.