What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dearth
Example
There was a dearth of fresh produce at the market this week. [dearth: noun]
Example
The company experienced a dearth of qualified candidates for the job opening. [dearth: noun]
paucity
Example
There is a paucity of research on the topic, making it difficult to draw conclusions. [paucity: noun]
Example
The team faced a paucity of funding for their project. [paucity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dearth is more common than paucity in everyday language and covers a broader range of contexts. Paucity is less common and tends to be used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dearth and paucity?
Paucity is more formal than dearth, but both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation and audience.
