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

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

Molly's visits became more and more scarce until they stopped altogether.

From BBC

Yet the question of where Cuba chooses to direct its scarce resources remains a real point of contention on the island.

From BBC

Nicola included a carousel of family photos, which she said were scarce because Liam’s family members “never wanted you to feel like you were in a room of fans.”

From Los Angeles Times

For them, fall meant celebrating both abundance but also a deep collective fear that the harvest wouldn’t last, their provisions scarce come winter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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