noun

dearth

durth

Dearth (noun) means a serious shortage or scarcity of something. Example: “There is a dearth of affordable housing in the city.”

noun

A serious shortage or scarcity of something.

"There is a dearth of affordable housing in the city."

"The dearth of skilled workers has slowed the project."

How to use dearth

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA shortage — not enough of something to go around.

Common mistake

Dearth always means a lack of something — it's never used to mean an abundance, unlike some other archaic-sounding words.

Common pairings

dearth of information dearth of talent dearth of evidence

Word forms

dearthed past tense, dearths plural, dearths singular

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Can you complete this real example?

There is a _____ of affordable housing in the city.

Etymology

From Old English roots related to dear (in the sense of "costly"), reflecting how scarcity drives prices up.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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shortage famine paucity

Related words

poor lack hunger deficit remainder shortage deficiency famine

Rhymes for dearth

earth hearth unearth

See all rhymes for dearth →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dearth” mean?

The word “dearth” means a serious shortage or scarcity of something. In plain terms, a shortage — not enough of something to go around.

How do you pronounce “dearth”?

“Dearth” is pronounced durth (/dɝθ/ in IPA).

How do you use “dearth” in a sentence?

Here is “dearth” used in a sentence: “There is a dearth of affordable housing in the city.”

What part of speech is “dearth”?

“Dearth” is a noun.

Where does the word “dearth” come from?

The word “dearth” comes from Old English. From Old English roots related to dear (in the sense of "costly"), reflecting how scarcity drives prices up.

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poor lack hunger deficit remainder shortage deficiency famine