noun
Uncommon
scarcity
SKEH-uh-sih-tee
Scarcity (noun) means a shortage; the state of not having enough of something. Example: “The scarcity of housing pushed rents higher.”
noun
1
A shortage; the state of not having enough of something.
"The scarcity of housing pushed rents higher."
"Economists study how scarcity affects prices."
How to use scarcity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot having enough of something to go around.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
scarcity of resources
water scarcity
in times of scarcity
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Word forms
- Plural
- scarcities
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The _____ of housing pushed rents higher.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English scarsite, from Old Northern French escarsete; by surface analysis, scarce + -ity.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for scarcity
See all rhymes for scarcity →Frequently asked questions
What does “scarcity” mean?
The word “scarcity” means a shortage; the state of not having enough of something. In plain terms, not having enough of something to go around.
How do you pronounce “scarcity”?
“Scarcity” is pronounced SKEH-uh-sih-tee (/ˈskɛɹsɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “scarcity” in a sentence?
Here is “scarcity” used in a sentence: “The scarcity of housing pushed rents higher.”
What is another word for “scarcity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scarcity” include rareness, rarity, deficiency, lack, infrequency and penury.
What is the opposite of “scarcity”?
The opposite of “scarcity” — its antonyms — are frequency, commonness, abundance and copiousness.
What part of speech is “scarcity”?
“Scarcity” is a noun.
Is “scarcity” a common word?
“Scarcity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
