scarcity

USAGE SUMMARY

"scarcity" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the lack of something or when something is in short quantity. For example: "The scarcity of resources has caused prices to rise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rising temperatures leading to greater water scarcity, sea level rises and extreme weather events may exacerbate tensions over natural resources and cause large numbers of people to become "climate refugees" as they migrate across borders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Information goods undermine economic systems based on scarcity.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Benkler is right, the real-world economy of the 21st century becomes itself a giant game, in which non-market forms interact with the classic models based on scarcity and competition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Burrowes blames the scarcity of advertising dollars for the closure of mX.

The Guardian

Its leading article is kinder to Labour, arguing that its "programme offers change in times of scarcity" but remains "a calculated risk".

The Guardian

Minutes later Obama's answer came back, just three characters short of his 140-character limit: "More severe weather events lead to displacement, scarcity, stressed populations; all increase likelihood of global conflict".

The Guardian

"Price increases create the perception of scarcity, which pushes investors into new terrain," he said.

The Guardian

The proposed economics look like a version of 18th-century mercantilism: conquer a castle, set up your trading post there, exploit need and scarcity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some have also suggested that the scarcity of leisure time for people who work long hours may result in habits of using alcohol as a concentrated form of relaxant.

The Guardian - Opinion

8. Wasteland 2 is set in a harsh place, and that's reinforced constantly by the scarcity of everything I need.

The Guardian - Tech

In an era of increasing water scarcity and rising demand from a growing global population, agriculture and industry, the challenge for many is to do more with less.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic principles, use "scarcity" to emphasize the fundamental problem of limited resources versus unlimited wants.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcity" interchangeably with "poverty". "Scarcity" refers to the limited availability of resources in relation to demand, while "poverty" refers to the state of being poor, lacking sufficient resources to meet basic needs. "Scarcity" can exist even in wealthy societies, while poverty is a condition affecting individuals or groups.

Linguistic Context

The word "scarcity" primarily functions as a noun, denoting the condition of something being limited or insufficient. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarcity" is a noun that describes the condition of limited availability or insufficiency of something, particularly in relation to demand. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable term across a wide range of writing contexts. It's frequently employed in news, business, and scientific discussions to highlight resource limitations and their implications. While "scarcity" is generally neutral, it's important not to confuse it with "poverty", which refers to a state of lacking resources. Alternatives include "shortage", "dearth", and "lack", but each carries slightly different nuances. The term sees frequent use across diverse authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, making it a valuable term for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited availability

Focuses on the restriction of access or supply.

shortage

Highlights the inadequacy to meet the demand.

dearth

Implies a severe lack or absence, often more intense than simple scarcity.

deficiency

Emphasizes the incompleteness or inadequacy of something.

lack

A general term for not having enough of something.

insufficiency

Highlights that something is not enough for a particular purpose.

paucity

Indicates a small or inadequate quantity.

rarity

Focuses on the infrequency of something's occurrence.

inadequacy

Emphasizes the unsuitability or deficiency for a specific requirement.

want

Suggests a need or desire due to a lack of something essential.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcity" in a sentence?

You can use "scarcity" to describe a situation where something is lacking or in short supply. For example, "The "scarcity of water" is a major concern in arid regions".

What are some alternatives to the word "scarcity"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "shortage", "dearth", or "lack" as alternatives to "scarcity".

Is "scarcity" a positive or negative term?

"Scarcity" itself is a neutral term describing a condition. However, the consequences of scarcity, such as increased prices or limited access, are often negative.

What's the difference between "scarcity" and "absence"?

"Scarcity" implies that something exists but is limited in quantity. "Absence", on the other hand, means that something does not exist or is not present at all. Scarcity is a matter of degree, while absence is a matter of presence versus non-presence.