scarcity

UK: /ˈskɛə^rsɪti/ US: /ˈskɛrsəti/ ,(skâr′si tē)

Inflections of 'scarcity' (n): npl: scarcities

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

scar•ci•ty /ˈskɛrsəti/  n., pl. -ties. 

1. shortness of supply:
   [countable] a scarcity of low-income housing.
   [uncountable] Scarcity causes prices to rise.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scar•ci•ty  (skâr′si tē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. insufficiency or shortness of supply;
   dearth.
2. rarity;
   infrequency.

• Old North French escarsete. See scarce, -ity
• Middle English scarsete(e) 1300–50

Synonyms

• 1. shortage, want, lack, paucity.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scarcity / ˈskɛəsɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. inadequate supply; dearth; paucity
2. rarity or infrequent occurrence