scarcity

noun

scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sə-tē 

-stē

plural scarcities

: the quality or state of being scarce

especially : want of provisions for the support of life

Synonyms

• shortage
• lack

Examples of scarcity in a Sentence

Scarcity of food forced the herds to move.

the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising

Recent Examples on the Web

While banks prey on the false scarcity by demanding an even higher premium on loans, research shows that for Cook County is being shortchanged in terms of state funding. —Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025

Velasquez, the planning group leader, said scarcity of street parking has been the No. 1 concern from neighbors about the new projects. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

California’s thriving economy and broad appeal are a recipe for expensive homes, but its famously stringent building and other restrictions create something else: enough scarcity to propel home prices to around 2.5 times the national median. —Patrick A. McLaughlin, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025

Part of the appeal of men’s vintage clothing is its scarcity. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scarcity

noun

scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sət-ē 

ˈskar-

plural scarcities

: the quality or state of being scarce : a very small supply