dearth

/də:θ/

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Word: Dearth

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Dearth means a situation where there is not enough of something, or there is a serious lack of it. This can refer to physical items, like food or resources, or even abstract things, like ideas or knowledge.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "dearth" when you want to talk about a shortage or insufficient amount of something.
• It is often used in more formal or literary contexts.

Example Sentences:

1. There was a dearth of food supplies after the storm, leaving many families in need.
2. The dearth of qualified teachers in the area has caused many schools to struggle.

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter "dearth" in discussions about economics, public policy, or literature, where it is important to express a lack of resources or ideas.
• In academic writing, you might say: "The dearth of empirical data in the study raises concerns about its validity."

Word Variants:

• There is no direct variant of "dearth," but you can use related words such as "dearthly" (though rare) to describe something that has the quality of lacking abundance.

Different Meanings:

• "Dearth" primarily refers to a lack or scarcity. It doesn't have multiple meanings like some other words, but it can be used in different contexts (e.g., food, resources, knowledge).

Synonyms:

• Scarcity
• Shortage
• Lack
• Insufficiency
• Paucity

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that include "dearth," but you might hear phrases like "a dearth of options" or "a dearth of information" to describe a lack in those specific contexts.

Summary:

In summary, "dearth" is a noun that indicates a significant shortage or insufficient quantity of something. It is particularly useful in formal writing and discussions about resources, ideas, or necessities.

Academic

Noun

1. an insufficient quantity or number
2. an acute insufficiency

Synonyms

• paucity
• famine
• shortage