1.
short-handed; thinly staffed; thinly defended
Describes a position, area, or period where the people, stock, or defenses on hand are too few for what is needed. Used of staffing above all, but also of inventory and of weak points in a defense.
Usage
Most often used predicatively with なる — 手薄になる (to become short-handed) — and attributively as 手薄な. It describes the situation, not the people: saying a section is 手薄 is not a criticism of the staff there.
Common collocations
- 人手が手薄になる: to become short of hands
- 警備が手薄だ: security is thin
- 在庫が手薄だ: stock is running low
- 手薄な時間帯: hours with thin coverage
Similar words
- 手厚い: generous, attentive — plentiful care or support, the natural antonym.
Related Words
Compare:
手厚い (generous, attentive)