paucity

What does “paucity” mean?

noun.the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity.

SAT Usage

the term is often used in passages discussing economics, resource management, or social issues. It emphasizes not just a lack of quantity but also the implications of that scarcity, such as potential consequences or challenges, distinguishing it from similar terms like "shortage," which may not convey the same sense of insufficiency or urgency.

Common Confusions

Paucity implies a critical insufficiency that can lead to significant consequences, while shortage usually suggests a temporary lack without necessarily conveying the urgency or severity of the situation.

Example Sentences

• The paucity of clean water in the region caused disease.

• A paucity of data made conclusions uncertain.