noun · academic
scarcity
UK/ˈskeəsəti/US/ˈskɛrsɪti/SCAR·ci·ty
the state of being in short supply; lack of something needed or wanted
Examples
“Water scarcity is a pressing issue in many regions affected by climate change.”
“Scarcity of resources can lead to conflicts over access.”
“Students often write about food scarcity in development essays.”
Band 8 sentence
“Addressing water scarcity requires coordinated policy, technological investment and community-based conservation efforts.”
Collocations
- water scarcity
- in times of scarcity
- address scarcity
Word family
Common mistakes
There is scarcity of food in the area.→There is a scarcity of food in the area.
Water is scarce in many countries, so scarcity is big problem.→Water is scarce in many countries, so scarcity is a big problem.
Say it for a higher band
5lack→6shortage→7+scarcity
Synonyms
shortage
lack
Easily confused
shortage
“A shortage of teachers in rural schools is an immediate concern, while the scarcity of trained staff reflects long-term policy failures.”
Related words
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In -ity
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