dearth
/dɜːθ/
Group 7Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A scarcity or lack of something GRE
Example in Context
The dearth of affordable housing in the city has forced essential workers into hour-long commutes from distant suburbs.
Synonyms
shortagelackscarcity
Etymology
Indicates a scarcity or lack of something valuable.
- deore (Old English) — dear
Memory Aid
🌱Sounds like “dirt”
When there's a DEARTH of food, the only thing left to eat is DIRT, and even the worms are GONE!
Visual Association
🥴A barren land devoid of crops, with a single worm looking for something to eat.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “dearth” mean on the GRE?
dearth (noun) means “A scarcity or lack of something”. The dearth of affordable housing in the city has forced essential workers into hour-long commutes from distant suburbs.
How to remember “dearth” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “dearth” sounds like “dirt”. When there's a DEARTH of food, the only thing left to eat is DIRT, and even the worms are GONE!
What are synonyms for “dearth”?
Common synonyms: shortage, lack, scarcity.