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Definition of "dearth" []

  • A scarce supply; a lack: "the dearth of uncensored, firsthand information about the war” ( Richard Zoglin). (noun)
  • Shortage of food; famine. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "dearth" in a sentence
  • "Amid a certain dearth of materials of a private kind, I do congratulate myself on having been able to use the packet of letters docketed by Sir Harry, "John Bell's and Charlie Beckwith's Letters.""
  • "If folk be scarce as food in dearth ne’er let three lots come near ye:"
  • "NEW YORK — Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy called the dearth of minority head coaches in major college football "disgraceful.""