noun
-
smallness of quantity; insufficiency; dearth
-
smallness of number; fewness
Etymology
Origin of paucity
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English paucite, from Latin paucitās “fewness,” derivative of paucus “few”; see -ity
Explanation
The word paucity means not enough of something. If you've got a paucity of good cheer, for example, you'd better cheer up! One good way to remember the meaning of paucity is that it's a bit like pauper, as in The Prince and the Pauper. The prince had too much money, and the pauper had a paucity. There are a lot of words that mean "little" or "small," but paucity is used when you mean specifically "not enough" or "too little." People in Los Angeles don't understand how New Yorkers can live with such a paucity of space. For what New Yorkers pay for a tiny apartment, Angelenos get a house and a yard.
Vocabulary lists containing paucity
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT words Beginning with "P"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Elie Wiesel's "Hope, Despair and Memory" (1986)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He added that "given the paucity of evidence and the passage of time, it is unlikely that further meaningful investigation is possible, or that further investigation would serve a practical purpose".
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Start with the paucity of control that shareholders will get for their investments.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
Given the paucity of good new musicals this Broadway season, “The Lost Boys” has a chance at defying the box-office odds against vampire-centric musicals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026
The labor market is still in good condition overall, mind you, if just because of the surprising paucity of layoffs.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 3, 2026
The other major obstacle to the development of food production in Australia was the paucity of domesticable wild plants.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
