paucity
5 synonyms and 4 antonyms for paucity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A shortage of something, or a supply that is far smaller than is needed.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use paucity
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a paucity of evidence
a paucity of data
a paucity of research
relative paucity
Formal and literary; common in academic writing, especially the phrase 'a paucity of data'.
Etymology
From Latin paucitas, from paucus meaning 'few', via Old French paucite.
Full origin of paucity →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between paucity and dearth?
They are near-synonyms and often interchangeable. Dearth suggests an outright absence or famine-like lack, while paucity suggests a small quantity that exists but falls short. Paucity is also slightly more common in scientific writing.
Can paucity be used about people?
Yes, in the sense of numbers: 'a paucity of qualified applicants' is standard. It is not used to describe a single person.
Is paucity a negative word?
Yes. It always implies the amount is inadequate, not merely small. If you simply mean 'few', paucity would be overstating it.
