scarcity

noun

scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sə-tē 

-stē

plural scarcities

: the quality or state of being scarce

especially : want of provisions for the support of life

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of scarcity in a Sentence

Scarcity of food forced the herds to move.

the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising

Recent Examples on the Web

Unfortunately, human activity has exacerbated the resource scarcity that pushes storks into employing techniques like brood reduction. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

The match will also see AC Milan’s players wearing the special anniversary kit the club unveiled earlier this month and that resonated on social media for its old-school aesthetic, subtle placement of logos and overall scarcity of sponsors’ insignias. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024

Suarez echoed this feeling, painting a picture of food scarcity. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 27 Nov. 2024

The provable scarcity of Bitcoin ensures that new buyers will enter the market. —Korok Ray, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scarcity

noun

scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sət-ē 

ˈskar-

plural scarcities

: the quality or state of being scarce : a very small supply