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

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

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

Hard mode, for instance, increases resource scarcity and enemy aggression, offering a sterner test for seasoned players. —Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025

The human brain evolved to deal with scarcity, not abundance. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

As to why a store might resort to such means, Simpson pointed to the exclusive nature of luxury goods, where scarcity is typically associated with desirability and value. —Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

Smart direct-to-consumer brands now employ scarcity, storytelling and aesthetic minimalism to make their products feel elite—even if their price points remain within reach for many middle-class consumers. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 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