scarcity

[ skair-si-tee ]

noun

, plural scar·ci·ties.

1. insufficiency or shortness of supply; dearth.

   Synonyms: paucity, lack, want, shortage

2. rarity; infrequency.

scarcity

/ ˈskɛəsɪtɪ /

noun

1. inadequate supply; dearth; paucity
2. rarity or infrequent occurrence

Other Words From

• non·scarci·ty noun plural nonscarcities

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarcity¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English scarsete(e), from Old North French escarsete; equivalent to scarce + -ity

Example Sentences

They argue that by painting the eland, the San were attempting to harness the antelope’s spiritual powers to summon more of them to appear during a time of scarcity.

From Science Magazine

"It's possible this ability to digest dairy was important to survival during periods of crop failure, food scarcity and disease," Narasimhan said.

From Science Daily

“Our great concern is that, without action, water scarcity will emerge as a major constraint on housing production across California,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The apartment, she says, “is a whole life. A life of struggle, of scarcity, of living, of working.”

From Los Angeles Times

ZLD can help reduce water scarcity and waste from desalination plants, but comes at increased costs and, potentially, increased environmental effects from desalination.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• dearth
• drought
• famine
• inadequacy
• insufficiency
• lack
• paucity
• shortage