Paucity — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈpȯ-sə-tē/ pau·ci·ty

Meaning & Definition of Paucity

Paucity (noun)

  1. smallness of number, fewness
  2. smallness of quantity, dearth

Paucity (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number

    "a paucity of useful answers to the problem of traffic congestion at rush hour"

    similar: crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want
    related: absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation
    opposite: abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth
    near: bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Paucity

The most common words with a similar meaning to Paucity:

crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Paucity

Words with the opposite meaning of Paucity:

abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth

Related Words for Paucity

absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation

Near Antonyms of Paucity

bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

Origin & Etymology of Paucity

Middle English paucite, from Latin paucitat-, paucitas, from paucus little few

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Paucity

What does "Paucity" mean?

"Paucity" means smallness of number, fewness. As a noun, it is defined as: smallness of number, fewness.

What is another word for "Paucity"?

Other words for "Paucity" include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine and inadequacy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Paucity" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Paucity"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Paucity". Common alternatives include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness and insufficiency.

What is the opposite of "Paucity"?

Antonyms of "Paucity" include abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency and wealth. Near antonyms include bountifulness, copiousness, excess and overabundance.

How do you use "Paucity" in a sentence?

Examples of "Paucity" in a sentence: "a paucity of useful answers to the problem of traffic congestion at rush hour".

Is "Paucity" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Paucity" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Paucity"?

"Paucity" is pronounced /ˈpȯ-sə-tē/ and divided into syllables as pau·ci·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Paucity"?

"Paucity" comes from Middle English paucite, from Latin paucitat-, paucitas, from paucus little few. First known use: 15th century.