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

Soucek has also stepped up in big moments previously, but without Bowen, there is a scarcity of offensive efficiency within the team. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

While Bitcoin’s scarcity is fixed and assured by its hard cap, Ethereum’s scarcity is flexible and contingent on network use. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025

But scarcity acquires a different symbolic tenor in the context of a commitment to be available for everyone. —Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025

That intense scarcity arouses a FOMO among very wealthy car lovers that allows Ferrari to charge prices like $250,000 for one of its entry-level cars, and $3 million for a hypercar like its F80. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 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