Scarcer: meaning, definitions and examples

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scarcer

 

[ หˆskษ›r.sษš ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

resource availability

Scarcer refers to something that is in limited supply or less plentiful than usual. It suggests that the availability of a specific item, resource, or quality is diminished. The term can apply to various contexts, including natural resources, economic goods, or even abstract concepts like time and opportunities. When something is considered scarcer, it often leads to increased demand and potential value. This can impact prices, accessibility, and overall market dynamics.

Synonyms

infrequent, limited, rare, sparse, uncommon

Examples of usage

  • Water is becoming scarcer due to climate change.
  • Opportunities for employment in that field are getting scarcer.
  • The scarcer the resource, the more valuable it becomes.

Translations

Translations of the word "scarcer" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mais escasso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคงเคฟเค• เคฆเฅเคฐเฅเคฒเคญ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช knapper

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lebih langka

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ั–ะดะบั–ัะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ rzadszy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅธŒๅฐ‘ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท plus rare

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mรกs escaso

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท daha nadir

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋” ํฌ๊ท€ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃูƒุซุฑ ู†ุฏุฑุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vzรกcnฤ›jลกรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vzรกcnejลกรญ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ›ด็จ€็ผบ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ bolj redek

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sjaldgรฆfari

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐะฟัˆั‹ั€ะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒ‘แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ daha nadir

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mรกs escaso

Etymology

The term 'scarce' comes from Middle English 'scarse' or 'scarce', which was derived from Old French 'escarce', meaning 'rare' or 'sparse'. This Old French term evolved from the Latin 'excarcere', meaning 'to free, loose, or deliver'. The original usage emphasized the idea of something being hard to find or in short supply. Over the centuries, the meaning has expanded to encompass not only physical resources but also abstract concepts like time or opportunities. 'Scarcer', as the comparative form, emerged to denote a relative degree of scarcity, emphasizing the distinct difference in availability compared to others. The root of the word illustrates the long-standing human experience regarding the value and importance of resource management throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,228, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.