noun
-
inadequate supply; dearth; paucity
-
rarity or infrequent occurrence
Other Word Forms
- nonscarcity noun
Etymology
Origin of scarcity
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English scarsete(e), from Old North French escarsete; equivalent to scarce + -ity
Compare meaning
How does scarcity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If there is a cupcake scarcity in your kitchen, there are hardly any cupcakes around, and you're not sure that any will be appearing any time soon. The noun scarcity comes from the adjective scarce, which means "restricted in quantity or availability." So scarcity is the state of there being very little of something. During a war when shipping gets interrupted, there might be a fuel scarcity, pushing people to carpool or ride bikes instead of driving. If you're in a room full of super boring people, you might say there's a scarcity of good conversation.
Vocabulary lists containing scarcity
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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Holes
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Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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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.
“Demand destruction will spread as scarcity and higher prices persist,” the IEA said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
State salaries — often the equivalent of $15 to $30 a month — have been completely overtaken by soaring food prices driven by scarcity and inflation.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
“While the front of the curve reflects acute scarcity, the lower prices further out suggest that participants anticipate at least partial normalization over time,” said Saxo Bank’s head of commodity strategy Ole Hansen.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
For some collectors, the scarcity is part of the appeal.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
She grew restless, seemed troubled and anxious at the scarcity of words exchanged in the house.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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.
