dearth

noun

ˈdərth 

1

: scarcity that makes dear

specifically : famine

2

: an inadequate supply : lack

a dearth of evidence

Did you know?

Where does the word dearth come from?

Dearth has, in one form or another, been used to refer to scarcity since at least the 13th century, when it often referred specifically to the plague of famine (as in “a time of dearth”), whether brought on by an insidious crop disease or by invaders. The word traces back to the Old English adjective dēore, meaning “dear” (dēore is also the ancestor of dear, which also once meant “scarce,” though that sense is now obsolete). That notion of dearness or importance endures in dearth, which implies the absence or scarcity of not just any old thing, but of something one wants or needs. A dearth of mauls, for example, would be the bane of a woodcutter’s existence.

Synonyms of dearth

• shortage
• lack

Examples of dearth in a Sentence

It may also be a respite for booksellers, who have been grumbling for several years about sluggish sales and a dearth of dependable blockbuster fiction. —Julie Bosman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2006

… Earnhardt has recently hinted that a company-wide dearth of talent is the core reason his Chevy simply isn't as fast in 2005 as it's been in the past. —Lars Anderson, Sports Illustrated, 11 Apr. 2006

AirNet, which hauls bank checks and other time-critical freight, used to require that its pilots have at least 1,200 hours of flight experience. Then, faced with a dearth of experienced applicants, it dropped the requirement to 500 hours. Now, it has no minimum. —Scott McCartney, Wall Street Journal, 10 Aug. 2000

there was a dearth of usable firewood at the campsite

the dearth of salesclerks at the shoe store annoyed us

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, new research shows just how dire the state of healthcare is in these areas, particularly because of a dearth of surgeons in places across the United States. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

And considering the dearth of new mainstream stars — outside of Doechii and Don Toliver, other emerging talents have yet to commercially break through — hip-hop veterans have more of an opening to notch genuine hits. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

After the peak of fame and power with the Royal Academy exhibition in 1997, which toured to the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, there was a dearth of interest in the YBAs for a decade or so. — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The city’s dearth of affordable housing has been a leading issue in the race. — Jacqueline Ganun, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English derthe, from Old English *dierth, from dēore dear

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dearth

• berth
• birth
• earth
• firth
• girth
• mirth
• worth
• afterbirth
• childbirth
• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth

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Kids Definition

dearth

noun

ˈdərth 

: scarcity, lack