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.

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dearth British  

/ dɜːθ /

noun

1. an inadequate amount, esp of food; scarcity

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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

Some housing advocates say those purchases are contributing to a dearth of homes for sale and driving up home prices in certain neighborhoods.

From The Wall Street Journal

A project that was supposed to take a year is now in its third, delayed by everything from a shortage of electrical equipment to a dearth of workers.

From Los Angeles Times

In Japan, the dearth of women's restrooms extends beyond the legislative chamber.

From BBC

He’s made several accurate predictions, such as in 2023, when silver was languishing around $22 and Krauth warned of a dearth in supplies and surging demand at the Metals Investor Forum.

From MarketWatch

The period between Christmas and New Years usually sees markets drift higher amid a dearth of major economic news.

From Barron's

Related Words

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