# scarce

/ˈskɛɹs/ (US) · /skˈeəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scarce
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. hard to find

adjective · CEFR B2

available in small amounts and difficult to find.

For teachers: insufficient to meet a demand or requirement; existing in limited quantities.

- Fresh water became scarce after the long summer without any rain.
- During the economic crisis, skilled labour became increasingly scarce as many professionals sought more stable opportunities abroad.

### 2. lacking something

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

not having enough of a specific thing.

For teachers: deficient in quantity or number; poorly supplied with a particular resource.

- The village was scarce of food after the harsh winter.
- The expedition found themselves scarce of medical supplies just as they reached the most remote part of the mountain range.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

### 3. barely

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

almost not at all; only just.

For teachers: used to indicate that something is only just true or has only just happened.

- The sun had scarce risen when the travelers began their journey.
- He had scarce finished his speech when the audience erupted into a mixture of confused murmurs and polite applause.

Teaching tip: In modern English, speakers almost always use 'scarcely' instead of 'scarce' as an adverb.

## Examples

- Fresh water is scarce in the desert.
- During the long winter months, fresh vegetables became scarce and very expensive at the local market.
- As natural resources become increasingly scarce, global powers are forced to reconsider their consumption patterns and invest in sustainable alternatives to avoid future conflict.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.