What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scarce
Example
Water is scarce in this desert region. [scarce: adjective]
Example
During the pandemic, medical supplies were scarce and hard to come by. [scarce: adjective]
limited
Example
The store has a limited supply of hand sanitizer. [limited: adjective]
Example
There are limited seats available for the concert. [limited: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Limited is more commonly used than scarce in everyday language. Limited is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scarce is less common and often used in specific situations where resources or commodities are in short supply.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scarce and limited?
Both scarce and limited can be used in formal and informal contexts, but limited may be more appropriate in professional or academic settings due to its neutral connotation.
