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Definition of scarcity

scarcity

/ˈskɛərsɪti/
scar · ci · ty
Adverb:scarcely
•
Plural:scarcities
•
Adjective:scarce
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scarcity Lexical Profile

scarcity Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state of being in short supply; a shortage or insufficiency of something needed or desired.

Example

"The prolonged drought created a severe scarcity of fresh water across the agricultural region."

2

Rarity or infrequency of occurrence or appearance.

Example

"The extreme scarcity of first-edition copies makes this volume highly prized among book collectors."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for scarcity

• Nearby Words

scarce
scarcely
scarceness
scarcity
scare
scarecrow
scared

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Anglo-Norman escarcete and Old French escharsete, ultimately tracing back to Vulgar Latin exscarpsus, meaning 'plucked out' or 'selected'.

Cite this Entry

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