scarce Hear it!

scarce Definition

scarce (skers)

adjective scarcer, scarcest

  1. not common; rarely seen
  2. not plentiful; not sufficient to meet the demand; hard to get

Etymology: ME scars < NormFr escars (for OFr eschars) < VL *escarpsus, for L excerptus, pp. of excerpere, to pick out, select (see excerpt); hence, that which is picked out and therefore scarce

adverb

Literary scarcely

scarce Related Forms

scarce·ness noun

scarce Idioms

make oneself scarce

Informal to go or stay away

scarce Synonyms

scarce

modif.

limited, infrequent, not plentiful; see rare 2, uncommon.

make oneself scarce*

scarce Usage Examples

Preposition: in

  • region: Fresh water, once a seemingly abundant resource, is now becoming scarce in many regions of the world.
  • part: As public open space is scarce in many parts of my ward this is an important issue.
  • area: Distribution: Widespread, tho scarce in lowland areas, probably under recorded particularly in Angus.

Modifies a noun

  • migrant: The only other scarce migrant seen was a Hen Harrier that flew north over Weston in the afternoon.
  • commodity: Open space is a scarce commodity within the urban areas of the District.
  • resource: Page 24 Housing: 3.15 Land is a scarce resource for the Isle of Wight.
  • forbear: And even a recalcitrant press could scarce forbear to cheer.
  • damselfly: Dragonflies Can you find a new colony of the scarce blue-tailed damselfly in its Gwent Valleys heartland?
  • specie: A good selection of winter visitors were recorded prior to a steady passage of scarcer migrant species at the end of the review period.

Modifying Another Word

  • nationally: My 1st record for the species, which is nationally scarce.
  • surprisingly: Seabirds were surprisingly scarce, a few Manx Shearwater near Penzance being the highlight.
  • comparatively: These must have been expensive to make because they did not stay in production long and are comparatively scarce now.
  • relatively: Since food is rationed and meat is relatively scarce, much of the diet is healthy fruit and vegetables.
  • increasingly: As water becomes increasingly scarce, so securing its supply will become increasingly important.
  • quite: Details of whole life investments tend to be quite scarce.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: In a world where resources are becoming scarce, these insights have immense value.
  • remain: Nonetheless, examples of Gray's work remain scarce.
  • seem: Perhaps because of the heat birds seemed rather scarce as we made our way on around toward the far end of Willow Lake.
  • get: I like comedies and dramas on the telly - dramas seem to be getting much more scarce.
  • have: Twelve o'clock had scarce rung out over London, ere the knocker sounded very gently on the door.

Browse dictionary entries near scarce

  1. Scarborough
  2. Scaramouch
  3. scarabaeid
  4. scarab
  5. scar tissue
  6. scar
  7. scapular medal
  8. scapular
  9. scapula
  10. scapose
  1. scarcely
  2. scarcement
  3. scarcity
  4. scare
  5. scare off or away
  6. scare up
  7. scarecrow
  8. scared
  9. scaredy-cat
  10. scarehead