Words / C2

DURTH/dɜːθ/

A dearth is a scarcity or lack of something: a dearth of evidence, a dearth of staff. Lack (already in the dictionary) is everyday; paucity (already in the dictionary) is too small an amount, the close twin, and scarce (already in the dictionary) is the adjective of short supply. Copious (already in the dictionary) is a great deal — the opposite flavour. Exiguous (this batch) is scanty of amount. Missing dates are a finding, not a layout choice.

Meaning

A scarcity or lack of something.

Examples

• “A dearth of dates in the ethics log is not a formatting nicety.”
• “Lack is everyday (already in B1). Paucity is too little (already in C2). Scarce is hard to find (already in C1). Copious is a great deal (already in C2) — the contrast. Exiguous is scanty (this batch). A short log can still be complete. Empty cells are not a small gap; they are none. Write the dates or write that they are missing.”

Good to know

A shortage; too little of it. Everyday: lack (already in this dictionary). Close: paucity (already in C2); scarce (already in C1). Contrast: copious (already in C2). This batch: exiguous. Layout ≠ a date.

Near in meaning

scarcity, lack, shortage, paucity

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