Famine: meaning, definitions and examples

Famine is used to describe a severe shortage of food affecting a large area or population, often due to natural disasters or conflict.

• The country faced a severe famine after years of drought.
• International aid was sent to help the regions hit by famine.

Starvation indicates extreme suffering or death caused by lack of food. It is a dire and severe condition, sometimes with a negative connotation.

• Many people died from starvation during the prolonged famine.
• Starvation among the refugees became a critical issue.

Food crisis refers to a situation where food is scarce, leading to increased prices and difficulty in obtaining sufficient food. It can be less severe than famine but still serious.

• The economic downturn led to a food crisis in the city.
• Efforts are being made to address the global food crisis.

Hungry is used to describe the feeling of needing or wanting food. It is a subjective and individual experience rather than a widespread issue.

• I am feeling very hungry after a long day at work.
• Children were often left hungry due to the poor economic conditions.

Famine is used when talking about a severe shortage of food affecting a large population, often for an extended period. It usually has a very serious and distressing connotation.

• The prolonged drought led to a famine that affected hundreds of thousands of people
• The famine in the region resulted in widespread malnutrition and deaths

Dearth is used to describe a lack or shortage of something, not necessarily food, and often implies that this shortage is problematic or significant.

• There is a dearth of affordable housing in the city
• The dearth of medical supplies has become a critical issue

Scarcity describes a situation where something is in short supply and difficult to obtain. It can apply to various contexts, including resources, commodities, or opportunities.

• The scarcity of water in the desert poses a serious challenge for inhabitants
• The scarcity of job opportunities in the region has led to high unemployment rates

Paucity refers to a small quantity or insufficiency of something. It is often used in formal contexts or written language.

• Given the paucity of evidence, the researchers could not draw any definitive conclusions
• The paucity of resources in the area has limited development projects