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

Optimists like Marc Andreessen, co-creator of the Mosaic browser, insist that artificial intelligence will solve our most pressing problems—curing disease, eliminating scarcity, even boosting creativity to superhuman levels. —Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

The cash is aimed at countering a scarcity of mental health workers in California and across the country. —Don Thompson, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025

There’s a scarcity mentality, like there’s only so many roles. —Ashley Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025

Food scarcity in Gaza has sparked scenes of desperation and widespread looting in recent days. —Mohammad Al Sawalhi, CNN Money, 29 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