scarce Definition
- 1insufficient for the demand
- 2rare, uncommon
Using scarce: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "scarce" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Water is becoming scarce in many parts of the world.
Example
During the war, food was scarce and expensive.
Example
Scarce resources must be used wisely.
Example
Scarce information is available on the topic.
scarce Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with scarce
Example
When he saw his ex-girlfriend at the party, he made himself scarce.
Example
Opportunities like this are few and far between.
Example
Good job opportunities in this area are as scarce as hen's teeth.
Origins of scarce
from Old Norman French 'escars', meaning 'restricted in quantity'
Summary: scarce in Brief
'Scarce' [skers] means insufficient for the demand or rare and uncommon. It can refer to resources, information, or items that are hard to come by, as in 'Water is becoming scarce in many parts of the world.' 'Scarce' can also be used in idiomatic expressions such as 'make oneself scarce,' meaning to leave quickly or suddenly, and 'few and far between,' meaning rare or uncommon.