What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
famine
Example
The famine in Ethiopia led to the death of thousands of people. [famine: noun]
Example
The crops failed, and the village faced famine for several months. [famine: noun]
dearth
Example
There is a dearth of job opportunities in this town. [dearth: noun]
Example
The drought caused a dearth of water in the region. [dearth: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dearth is more commonly used than famine in everyday language, as it can be used to describe shortages of various resources and commodities. Famine is a less common word that is typically used to describe severe and catastrophic shortages of food.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between famine and dearth?
Both famine and dearth can be used in formal or informal contexts, but famine may be more associated with formal or academic writing due to its severity and historical significance.
