paucity

noun

pau·​ci·​ty ˈpȯ-sə-tē How to pronounce paucity (audio)
1
: smallness of number : fewness
2
: smallness of quantity : dearth

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Learn a Little About Paucity

Paucity refers to "littleness" in numbers (as in "a paucity of facts") or quantity ("a paucity of common sense"). The word comes from paucus, Latin for "little."

Examples of paucity in a Sentence

If you had one of those Yugoslav names with a paucity of vowels, you might sprinkle in a few … Calvin Trillin, Time, 22 May 2000
For my part, I find increasingly that I miss the simplicity, the almost willful paucity, of the English way of doing things. Bill Bryson, I'm a Stranger Here Myself, 1999
This relative paucity of freeloaders and deadbeats means that rookie Americans, as a group, more than pay their way. Jaclyn Fierman, Fortune, 9 Aug. 1993
a paucity of useful answers to the problem of traffic congestion at rush hour
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Given the paucity of available talent, Kean was afforded another opportunity and took his chance against the Israelis. David Ferrini, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024 Although such treatments must be prescribed and managed by medical professionals, the paucity of psychiatrists in poorer countries would not necessarily present an obstacle to making psychiatric medications more widely available. Thomas R. Insel, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2015 As Harris has ramped up her media after taking criticism for a paucity of interviews, her campaign has pointed out that Trump has been largely choosing friendly outlets. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2024 Really, what explains the paucity of humans north of the United States desperately trying to get to the U.S.? John Tamny, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paucity 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English paucite, from Latin paucitat-, paucitas, from paucus little — more at few

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paucity was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near paucity

Cite this Entry

“Paucity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paucity. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

paucity

noun
pau·​ci·​ty ˈpȯ-sət-ē How to pronounce paucity (audio)
: smallness of number or quantity : scarcity
a paucity of experience

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