scarcity

/'skeəsiti/

Thân thiện

The library has a scarcity of books on that topic.

Definition

Noun: 1. The state of being insufficient or in short supply; a lack of abundance. It describes a condition where something is not available in sufficient quantity to meet the demand or need. 2. A specific instance or example of such a shortage. It can refer to the scarce item itself.

Usage

• Scarcity is primarily used as an uncountable noun to describe a general condition of shortage (e.g., "water scarcity").
• It can also be used as a countable noun, often in the plural form scarcities, when referring to multiple specific shortages (e.g., "facing multiple scarcities").
• It is a formal term commonly used in economics, environmental science, and discussions about resources.

Examples

• General Condition (Uncountable):
  • The scarcity of affordable housing is a major problem in many cities.
  • During the drought, the scarcity of water became critical.
  • Economic theory often starts with the premise of scarcity.
• Specific Shortage (Countable):
  • The region has experienced food scarcities in the past.
  • We must prepare for potential energy scarcities.

Advanced Usage

• Artificial Scarcity: A situation where the supply of a good is intentionally limited to increase its price or perceived value, even though the technology or resources exist to create abundance.
  • Some luxury brands rely on artificial scarcity to maintain their exclusivity.
• Scarcity Mentality / Mindset: A belief system that views resources as limited and fixed, leading to competitive, zero-sum thinking.
  • Moving from a scarcity mentality to an abundance mentality can improve collaboration.

Variants and Related Words

• Scarce (adjective): Insufficient to meet the demand; not abundant.
  • Jobs were scarce during the recession.
• Scarcely (adverb): 1. Only just; almost not. 2. Certainly not.
  • He had scarcely finished speaking when the phone rang.

Synonyms

• Shortage: A state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts.
• Dearth: A scarcity or lack of something (often used for non-physical things like ideas or feelings).
• Paucity: The presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity.
• Insufficiency: The condition of being inadequate.

Antonyms

• Abundance: A very large quantity of something.
• Plenty: A situation in which there is more than enough of something.
• Surplus: An amount of something left over when requirements have been met; an excess.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Make oneself scarce (idiom): To leave or disappear, especially to avoid trouble or an awkward situation.
  • When the argument started, he decided to make himself scarce.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a small and inadequate amount

Từ đồng nghĩa

• scarceness