scarcity

noun

scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sə-tē 

-stē

plural scarcities

: the quality or state of being scarce

especially : want of provisions for the support of life

Synonyms of scarcity

• shortage
• lack

Examples of scarcity in a Sentence

Scarcity of food forced the herds to move.

the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t give in to that meanness, and that false belief in scarcity. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

How do risk, scarcity and supply and demand shape the price of everything from a gallon of gas to a first apartment? — Michael Poore Special To The Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

For two years, Peters has been making the case in public that audit faces a crisis of scarcity. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

In his veto message Newsom, like the California Chamber of Commerce, cited the pressing need to address water scarcities driven by climate change. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scarcity

noun

scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sət-ē 

ˈskar-

plural scarcities

: the quality or state of being scarce : a very small supply