Definition of "scarce" in English

adjective

1. (chiefly of resources, such as food) Uncommon, rare; difficult to find; insufficient to meet a demand.

   • By the end of the 20th century elephants had become scarce even in Africa.

2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); used with of.

   • The project failed due to the scarce resources in the national market.

adverb

1. (archaic, literary) Scarcely, only just.