Pittance
noun
A very small amount of money, less than is considered reasonable or fair.
He works hard all day and only earns a pittance.
Often appears as...
- earn a pittance
- paid a pittance
noun
A very small amount of money, less than is considered reasonable or fair.
He works hard all day and only earns a pittance.
Often appears as...
- earn a pittance
- paid a pittance
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Emphasizing Injustice
Use 'pittance' to stress unfairness when someone receives too little for their work or effort.
Despite her qualifications, she was offered a pittance for the consultancy work.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
'Pittance' often expresses opinion rather than an exact small amount; the actual sum can differ widely.
He called his inheritance a pittance, though it was enough for a new car.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Feelings
The word carries negative emotions, suggesting dissatisfaction or resentment.
She felt her talent was wasted on tasks that paid only a pittance.
Pro Tip 1/3Emphasizing Injustice
Use 'pittance' to stress unfairness when someone receives too little for their work or effort.
Despite her qualifications, she was offered a pittance for the consultancy work.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
'Pittance' often expresses opinion rather than an exact small amount; the actual sum can differ widely.
He called his inheritance a pittance, though it was enough for a new car.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Feelings
The word carries negative emotions, suggesting dissatisfaction or resentment.
She felt her talent was wasted on tasks that paid only a pittance.
Pro Tip 1/3Emphasizing Injustice
Use 'pittance' to stress unfairness when someone receives too little for their work or effort.
Despite her qualifications, she was offered a pittance for the consultancy work.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
'Pittance' often expresses opinion rather than an exact small amount; the actual sum can differ widely.
He called his inheritance a pittance, though it was enough for a new car.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Feelings
The word carries negative emotions, suggesting dissatisfaction or resentment.
She felt her talent was wasted on tasks that paid only a pittance.
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Video examples
Sting: How I started...
When all you've got left is that cross on the wall I want nothing from you, I want nothing at all Not a pension, nor a pittance, when your whole life is through Get this through your head, I'm nothing like you I'm done with all the arguments, there'll be no more disputes
Video examples
The Medical Heroin...
karen has turned her life around thanks to her commitment to this radical program see a bear took me like that safe the best moments of positive just ask to see a human smarts very mo here on a pittance in effect bone dark peace
Video examples
Our failing schools....
world when it comes to thinking and technology and democracy and all that stuff we care about I dare say it's a pittance it's a pittance what it would require for us to really begin to solve
Video examples
Sting: How I started...
When all you've got left is that cross on the wall I want nothing from you, I want nothing at all Not a pension, nor a pittance, when your whole life is through Get this through your head, I'm nothing like you I'm done with all the arguments, there'll be no more disputes
Video examples
The Medical Heroin...
karen has turned her life around thanks to her commitment to this radical program see a bear took me like that safe the best moments of positive just ask to see a human smarts very mo here on a pittance in effect bone dark peace
Video examples
Our failing schools....
world when it comes to thinking and technology and democracy and all that stuff we care about I dare say it's a pittance it's a pittance what it would require for us to really begin to solve
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Joseph Stiglitz
American Economist
Those who have contributed great positive innovations to our society, from the pioneers of genetic understanding to the pioneers of the Information Age, have received a pittance compared with those responsible for the financial innovations that brought our global economy to the brink of ruin.
Quote examples
Julia Glass
American Novelist
From fifth grade on, I worked at our public library. The pay, a pittance, was almost superfluous. All through high school, I looked forward to summer as the time when I could work at the library four or five days a week. I was never a camp counselor, a lifeguard, a scooper of ice cream.
Quote examples
Gillian Jacobs
American Actress
I had some years of definite frustration. Auditioning and not working as much as I would have liked to, or working and being paid a pittance, and sort of scrounging by in New York and sleeping on a chair that folded out into a bed.
Quote examples
Wole Soyinka
Nigerian Dramatist
African film makers are scraping by on a mere pittance.
Quote examples
Joseph Stiglitz
American Economist
Those who have contributed great positive innovations to our society, from the pioneers of genetic understanding to the pioneers of the Information Age, have received a pittance compared with those responsible for the financial innovations that brought our global economy to the brink of ruin.
Quote examples
Julia Glass
American Novelist
From fifth grade on, I worked at our public library. The pay, a pittance, was almost superfluous. All through high school, I looked forward to summer as the time when I could work at the library four or five days a week. I was never a camp counselor, a lifeguard, a scooper of ice cream.
Quote examples
Gillian Jacobs
American Actress
I had some years of definite frustration. Auditioning and not working as much as I would have liked to, or working and being paid a pittance, and sort of scrounging by in New York and sleeping on a chair that folded out into a bed.
Quote examples
Wole Soyinka
Nigerian Dramatist
African film makers are scraping by on a mere pittance.
Example 1 of 4
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