Word
dearth
US/ˈdɝθ/
UK/dˈɜːθ/
Definition
n. a situation where there is very little of something, especially something that is needed or wanted. It is a more formal and older word than 'lack'.
n. a state of being very scarce or lacking in supply. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a shortage of essential resources or qualities.
Examples
“There is a dearth of fresh water in this region.”
“The company is facing a severe dearth of skilled workers as the industry grows faster than the local workforce.”
“The sudden dearth of raw materials forced the factory to halt production until the supply chain could be stabilized through international trade agreements.”
Examples
simple
“There is a dearth of fresh water in this region.”
contextual
“The company is facing a severe dearth of skilled workers as the industry grows faster than the local workforce.”
complex
“The sudden dearth of raw materials forced the factory to halt production until the supply chain could be stabilized through international trade agreements.”
Real-World Examples
“The government has put the dearth of milk in recent months down to drought, which has significantly reduced pasture and hampered production.” “It’s a good community.”
The development has faced criticism for its isolated geography and limited infrastructure, as well as a dearth of amenities, from cafes and restaurants to GP services.” Etymology
First attested at least as early as the late 1300s, and appearing in Tyndale’s Pentateuch (1530) as well as the Coverdale Bible (1535). From Middle English derth, derthe, derþe, probably from Old English dīerþ, dīerþu, from Proto-West Germanic diuriþu, from Proto-Germanic diuriþō (“costliness, preciousness, honour”); corresponding to dear + -th (abstract nominal suffix). Cognate with Old Saxon diuriða (“glory, honour; preciousness”), West Frisian djoerte (“love, dearness, value, worth”), Dutch duurte (“dearness; scarcity, dearth”), Icelandic dýrð (“honour, glory”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/dearth