Paucity

A smallness in number or amount; scarcity.

noun

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Imagine This

Paw City is a city inhibited only by animals with paws, like dogs and cats. Can you name one? I think they are very rare.

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Sounds Like

PAW-sih-tee

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Looks Like

pau-city

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Remember This

From Latin paucitas meaning scarcity; used to describe a small amount of something, especially resources or evidence.

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Other Forms

paucitiesnoun

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Connect With

scarcity, dearth, shortage, insufficiency, meagerness

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Note

Often used with 'of' after it (a paucity of resources, a paucity of data). Do not confuse with poverty or pauper, which have different meanings.

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Study Deeper

Examples

There is a paucity of evidence to support the theory.
The report revealed a paucity of clean drinking water in the region.

Synonyms

scarcitydearthshortageinsufficiencymeagerness

Antonyms

abundanceplentyprofusion

Etymology

From Latin paucitas meaning scarcity, from paucus 'few'.

Mnemonic

Few-city: think of a city with only a few resources; paucity means scarcity.

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Precedent

noun

An earlier event, decision, or action that provides a model or justification for future similar cases or actions.

Reminiscence

noun

A personal memory or the act of recalling past experiences, often with nostalgia.

Obliterate

verb

To wipe out; to erase completely or destroy utterly.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Dearth

noun

Scarcity; a lack of something that is needed or desired.

Abasement

noun

The act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.

Absurdity

noun

The quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.

Accent

noun

A distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).

Accolade

noun

An honor; a public expression of praise or an award.

Acrimony

noun

Bitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling

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