Scarce - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Scarce means something is in very limited supply or hard to find. It is often used to describe resources, items, or opportunities that are rare or insufficient for demand.
Definition:
Insufficient in quantity, not enough to meet demand.
Synonyms:
rare, limited, sparse, infrequent
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
abundant, plentiful
Common Collocations:
scarce resources, scarce commodities, scarce materials
Derivatives:
scarcity, scarceness
Usage Tips:
Use "scarce" to describe something in short supply compared to need or demand.
Common Phrases:
make oneself scarce, scarce as hen's teeth
Etymology:
From Old French "escars," meaning sparing or stingy; Latin "excarpsus," meaning plucked out.
Examples:
- 1. Water is scarce in the desert during summer months.
- 2. Jobs were scarce after the factory closed down last year.
- 3. Fresh vegetables became scarce during the long winter season.
- 4. She made herself scarce when the argument started heating up.