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
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- dearths
- Third person singular
- dearths
- Past tense
- dearthed
Fill the gap
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.
Related words
Rhymes for dearth
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.
