scarce
1scarce
adjective \ˈskers\scarc·erscarc·est
Definition of SCARCE
1
: deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand : not plentiful or abundant
2
: intentionally absent <made himself scarce at inspection time>
— scarce·ness noun
Examples of SCARCE
- Food was getting scarce during the drought.
- <food was a bit scarce last winter>
Origin of SCARCE
Middle English scars, from Anglo-French eschars, escars narrow, stingy, deficient, from Vulgar Latin *excarpsus, literally, plucked out, past participle of Latin excerpere to pluck out — more at excerpt
First Known Use: 14th century
2scarce
adverbDefinition of SCARCE
Examples of SCARCE
- I could scarce believe what I was hearing.
First Known Use of SCARCE
15th century
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