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:
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.
“It is trading scarcity, and that distinction changes everything.”
From MarketWatch
“It is trading scarcity, and that distinction changes everything.”
From MarketWatch
Global leaders are already warning about food scarcity.
Kaneva reckons the impact will mostly be felt through higher prices and dislocations in refined products rather than the simple scarcity.
From MarketWatch
The impact for the U.S. will be felt mainly through higher prices and “dislocations” — changes or disruptions — in refined product markets, instead of through outright scarcity, they said.
From MarketWatch
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.
