scarce

[ skairs ]

adjective

scarcer, scarcest.

1. insufficient to satisfy the need or demand; not abundant:

   Meat and butter were scarce during the war.

   Synonyms: deficient

   Antonyms: abundant

2. seldom met with; rare:

   a scarce book.

   Synonyms: infrequent, uncommon

adverb

1. scarcely.

scarce

/ skɛəs /

adjective

1. rarely encountered
2. insufficient to meet the demand
3. make oneself scarce informal.
   to go away, esp suddenly

adverb

1. archaic.
   scarcely

Derived Forms

• ˈscarceness, noun

Other Word Forms

• scarceness noun
• un·scarce adjective
• un·scarcely adverb
• un·scarceness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarce¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English scars, from Old North French (e)scars, from Vulgar Latin excarpsus (unrecorded) “plucked out,” from Latin excerptus; excerpt

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarce¹

C13: from Old Norman French scars, from Vulgar Latin excarpsus (unattested) plucked out, from Latin excerpere to select; see excerpt

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make oneself scarce, Informal.
   1. to depart, especially suddenly.
   2. to stay away; avoid.

More idioms and phrases containing scarce

In addition to the idiom beginning with scarce , also see make oneself scarce .

Example Sentences

Also known as Celtic rainforest, the habitat harbours scarce plants, lichens and fungi, and is considered more threatened than tropical rainforest.

From BBC

Already he said last week, it is becoming more scarce and prices are rising.

From Los Angeles Times

Although some American automakers are transitioning to new batteries that don’t depend on those scarce minerals, many of the largest EV battery producers are in China, South Korea and Japan.

From Los Angeles Times

Many in the community have argued that the Reclaimers jumped the line ahead of other needy families who have been languishing for years on affordable housing wait lists and losing lotteries for scarce rentals.

From Los Angeles Times

“Women, especially women of color, are really overrepresented in these jobs where wages are not rising and benefits are scarce.”

From Salon

Related Words

• deficient
• limited
• rare
• scant
• scanty
• sparse
• sporadic