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Definition of dearth

dearth

/dɜːrθ/
dearth
Plural:dearths
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dearth Lexical Profile

dearth Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A scarcity or lack of something; an inadequate supply.

Example

"There was a noticeable dearth of reliable data on the long-term effects of the policy."

2

A severe shortage of food; a famine.

Example

"Historical records describe a prolonged dearth that forced many villagers to migrate to neighboring regions."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for dearth

• Nearby Words

dearie
dearly
dearness
dearth
death
death adder
deathbed

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English derthe, derived from the adjective dere ('dear' in the sense of 'costly' or 'scarce') combined with the noun-forming suffix -th. It originally referred to a period when food was excessively expensive due to crop failure, before broadening to mean any general scarcity.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dearth. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dearth
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