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

In deeply unequal ways, the new era of networked industrialization and electrification began to alleviate the conditions of scarcity that had rendered many communities so vulnerable to the climatic disruptions of the LIA. —Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025

Supplemental feeding is defined as providing extra nutrition during times of natural forage scarcity. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

Many of the California Design furniture examples that Ilse Ruocco offered for sale in 1950, now roughly 75 years old and showing plenty of vintage wear and tear, continue to enjoy extended lives in the hands of collectors, dealers and museums who value their significance and scarcity. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025

Part of the appeal of men’s vintage clothing is its scarcity. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 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