paucity

[ paw-si-tee ]

noun

1. smallness of quantity; scarcity; scantiness:

   a country with a paucity of resources.

2. smallness or insufficiency of number; fewness.

paucity

/ ˈpɔːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. smallness of quantity; insufficiency; dearth
2. smallness of number; fewness

Word History and Origins

Origin of paucity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English paucite, from Latin paucitās “fewness,” derivative of paucus “few”; -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of paucity¹

C15: from Latin paucitās scarcity, from paucus few

Example Sentences

The paucity of parks in South Park is an irony that is not lost on its residents.

From Los Angeles Times

It would be helpful to know how menstrual cup use affected people with these conditions, but there is a paucity of research investigating menstrual products and women’s health issues in general, said Lauren Keller, a pelvic floor specialist in Texas.

From Salon

They wanted to emphasize three issues to state officials at the event: the paucity of mental health care for children with developmental disabilities, the confusing mess of government systems meant to help them, and the gaps in availability of day-to-day caregiving.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats have relied on the Latino vote for presidential elections going back to the JFK era, yet the current paucity of Latinos that could conceivably join Harris is an indictment of a party that seems to have never planned for the possibility that Latinos might seek an office higher than Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

Growing up in Lincoln Heights and neighboring El Sereno, where his family settled after immigrating from Mexico in 1969, Marez experienced this paucity firsthand.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dearth
• insufficiency
• smallness