B2adjectiveenvironmentmoney
US/skers/
UK/skeəs/
not available in large enough amounts; hard to find
In context
Fresh water is scarce in many parts of the desert.
Jobs were scarce after the factory closed down.
When food became scarce, the village had to share what remained.
Words that go with scarce
adverb + adjective
- increasingly scarceClean water is increasingly scarce in the region.
- extremely scarceFish became extremely scarce after years of overfishing.
- relatively scarceAffordable housing is relatively scarce in the city.
adjective + noun
- scarce resourcesCountries compete for scarce resources.
- scarce suppliesDoctors had to share scarce supplies of medicine.
- scarce foodScarce food led to rising prices in the town.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
scarce of waterCorrect: short of water