scarce

[ skairs ]

adjective

, scarc·er, scarc·est.

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 Words From

• 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

He imagined a future in which “resources and livable conditions are scarce. Scarcity is the rule, and requires a degree of self-interest. Population problems are beyond solution by migration. No habitable unclaimed lands remain.”

From Salon

Superhero movies are no longer a surefire win at the box office, and so-called mid-tier films costing about $50 million to $100 million have become more scarce.

From Los Angeles Times

While information within India remains scarce, many women say they are turning to social media and that online resources are often more illuminating than conversations with their doctors.

From BBC

The $25,000 down payment assistance was a nice addition for those in the scarce and sluggish market for a home.

From Slate

The event is part of a trend of young Chinese people travelling cheaply at a time when the economy is faltering and job prospects are scarce.

From BBC

Related Words

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