dearth

[durth]

noun

1. an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack.

   There is a dearth of good engineers.

   Synonyms: insufficiency, paucity, want, shortage
   Antonyms: surplus, sufficiency, plenty, abundance

2. scarcity and dearness of food; famine.

dearth

/ dɜːθ /

noun

1. an inadequate amount, esp of food; scarcity

Word History and Origins

Origin of dearth¹

First recorded in 1200–50, dearth is from the Middle English word derthe. See dear ¹, -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dearth¹

C13: derthe , from dēr _dear

Example Sentences

In these places the dearth of home insurance, the semi-isolation and the continued threat of fire make it particularly difficult to rebound after one hits.

From Los Angeles Times

The dearth of construction after the North Complex fire makes it an outlier.

From Los Angeles Times

"They're being failed due to early years stereotyping, inadequate opportunities and a complete dearth of knowledge about managing female puberty," she added.

From BBC

The same companies wringing their hands over the supposed dearth of STEM-qualified workers were simultaneously laying them off by the tens of thousands.

From Los Angeles Times

This results in a dearth of data, hiding how common these types of behavior are among extremist groups.

From Salon

Related Words

• absence 
• deficiency 
• inadequacy 
• lack 
• paucity 
• shortage 

When To Use

What does dearth mean?

A dearth of something is a lack or scarcity of it.The word is especially used in serious situations in which there is a shortage of something important. It is usually followed by of and the thing that is lacking, as in a dearth of resources or a dearth of clean water. Much less commonly, dearth is used in a more specific way to refer to a scarcity of food—a famine.Example: The dearth of teachers has resulted in large class sizes.