dearth

American  

[durth] / dɜrθ /

noun

1. an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack.

   There is a dearth of good engineers.

   Synonyms:

   insufficiency, paucity, want, shortage

   Antonyms:

   surplus, sufficiency, plenty, abundance

2. scarcity and dearness of food; famine.

---

dearth British  

/ dɜːθ /

noun

1. an inadequate amount, esp of food; scarcity

---

Usage

What does dearth mean? A dearth of something is a lack or scarcity of it.The word is especially used in serious situations in which there is a shortage of something important. It is usually followed by of and the thing that is lacking, as in a dearth of resources or a dearth of clean water. Much less commonly, dearth is used in a more specific way to refer to a scarcity of food—a famine.Example: The dearth of teachers has resulted in large class sizes.

Etymology

Origin of dearth

First recorded in 1200–50, dearth is from the Middle English word derthe. See dear ¹, -th ¹

Example Sentences

A relative dearth of snow in Utah, which often blankets the festival, meant even the skiers had something to mourn.

From The Wall Street Journal

But only in one country -- Mexico -- has the dearth of tickets become a matter for the highest office in the land.

From Barron's

Private companies have been traditionally overlooked in analyst coverage because of the dearth of reliable financial information and the lack of investment access for investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the NPA report details over 304 pages how an ongoing culture of secrecy, along with lacking international engagement and a dearth of data, have left many affected communities scrambling for answers.

From Barron's

That has put the labor market into a sometimes uncomfortable balance, in which unemployment has only risen gradually and remains modest by historical standards, despite a dearth of new opportunities for workers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• absence
• deficiency
• inadequacy
• lack
• paucity
• shortage