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

What are the ways in which things decline on a societal level once this current degree of scarcity returns? —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025

Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story (CRAVE) Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story creatively chronicles the life of pioneering trans soul and R&B singer Jackie Shane, who has largely been forgotten due to the scarcity of video footage from her performances. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 1 May 2025

Due to their exclusivity and scarcity, many Record Store Day titles sell out immediately. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

The assessment looks at climate change effects such as the growing water scarcity in the southwestern US, more flooding along the coasts, and changing crop yields across the Midwest. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 29 Apr. 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