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 of scarcity

• 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

According to a 2024 survey conducted across 200 companies, talent retention remains another major concern for manufacturers, contributing to labor scarcity. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026

When the price of something scarce—concert tickets, Saturday night tables, theme park rides—is set far below what the market would naturally bear, the scarcity doesn’t disappear. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026

However, there is a significant scarcity of mistakes within the cemetery profession. —Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

Living in scarcity can be incredibly isolating. —Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026

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