Scarce means there is not much of something. It is difficult to find or use. We use it when things are in low supply.
Water was scarce in the dry desert.
Food became scarce after the storm.
When we say something is scarce, it can mean it is only just enough or very small in amount. It is almost not enough to meet needs.
He earned a scarce amount of money last month.
There is a scarce chance to win the game.
In nature, scarce often describes resources that are rare but needed by living things. It means there is not enough for all to survive comfortably.
Clean water is scarce in this region.
Scarce food affects many wild animals here.
Scarce can describe something you cannot easily find, like feelings, trust, or kindness. It means these are very rare or missing.
Trust was scarce between the two friends.
Opportunities for kindness are scarce nowadays.
In economics, scarce means there is not enough supply of goods or resources for all the people who want them. It shows competition for what is limited.
Scarce goods cause prices to rise.
Scarce resources must be used carefully.
Though very rare, scarce can be used as an adverb meaning 'barely' or 'almost not'. It shows something almost does not happen.
He scarce finished the race on time.
The plant was scarce alive after the frost.
