famine

American  

[fam-in] / ˈfæm ɪn /

noun

1. extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or a large geographical area.

2. any extreme and general scarcity.

   Synonyms:

   scantness, meagerness, poverty, paucity, dearth

3. extreme hunger; starvation.

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famine British  

/ ˈfæmɪn /

noun

1. a severe shortage of food, as through crop failure or overpopulation

2. acute shortage of anything

3. violent hunger

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famine Idioms  

1. see feast or famine.

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Etymology

Origin of famine

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French, derivative of faim “hunger,” from Latin famēs; famish

Example Sentences

Fletcher said the UN was also trying to keep the Strait of Hormuz open in its bid to get aid convoys to sub-Saharan Africa amid a "looming famine" in the region.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

For one, the status of women in North Korea has made great leaps since the so-called Arduous March - the famine caused in the 1990s when North Korea's economy collapsed.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

The same assessment said Dilling in South Kordofan is also likely facing famine conditions.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

He read news articles about the “Dear Leader” drinking expensive whisky during North Korea’s massive famine in the late 1990s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

That same autumn, Russia was wracked by famine.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• drought
• misery
• poverty
• scarcity
• starvation