scarcity

C1 Topic:Economics & Markets

US /ˈskɛɹsɪti/ UK /ˈskɛəsɪti/ See IPA manual

Freq #35263

Meanings

1

noun
a small and inadequate amount

A scarcity of grain raised prices throughout the town.
2

noun
The condition of something being scarce or deficient.

Praise […] owes its value only to its scarcity.
3

noun
An inadequate amount of something; a shortage.

a scarcity of grain

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a small and inadequate amount scarceness

2 noun · the condition of something... infrequency

3 noun · an inadequate amount of... dearth

More deficiency lack penury rareness rarity want

Opposites

abundance commonness copiousness excess frequency plenty surplus

Word family

Derived forms postscarcity

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English scarsite, from Old Northern French escarsete; by surface analysis, scarce + -ity.

Topics

Economics & Markets Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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