scarce
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for scarce, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Not enough to meet demand; hard to find.
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 scarce
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
scarce resources
scarce supply
become scarce
Etymology
From Old Northern French escars, "sparing, miserly," of uncertain deeper origin.
Full origin of scarce →Frequently asked questions
What does “scarce” mean?
The word “scarce” means not enough to meet demand; hard to find. In plain terms, in short supply — there isn't much of it around.
How do you pronounce “scarce”?
“Scarce” is pronounced SKEH-uhs (/ˈskɛɚs/ in IPA).
How do you use “scarce” in a sentence?
Here is “scarce” used in a sentence: “Fresh water became scarce during the drought.”
What is another word for “scarce”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scarce” include geason, infrequent and raresome.
What part of speech is “scarce”?
“Scarce” is an adjective.
Where does the word “scarce” come from?
The word “scarce” comes from French. From Old Northern French escars, "sparing, miserly," of uncertain deeper origin.
Is “scarce” a common word?
“Scarce” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between scarce and rare?
Scarce describes something that is not enough to meet current demand, often temporarily, such as scarce supplies during a shortage. Rare more often describes something that is inherently uncommon or hard to find at any time, regardless of demand, such as a rare disease or rare book.
Can scarce be used as an adverb?
Yes, but only in the older or literary form "scarce," as in "I could scarce believe it," meaning barely or hardly. In modern everyday English, the adverb form "scarcely" is far more common and natural.
What is the difference between scarce and scant?
Scarce generally describes an insufficient overall supply of something relative to demand, while scant emphasizes a small, often barely adequate amount of a specific thing, such as "scant evidence." The two overlap but scant leans more toward describing meagerness in quantity or detail.
