scarce

Universal Words adjective, adverb adjective (scarcer, scarcest) if sth is scarce, there is not enough of it and it is only available in small quantities: scarce resources * Details of the accident are scarce. * Food was becoming scarce. IDIOMS make oneself scarce (informal) to leave somewhere and stay away for a time in order to avoid an unpleasant situation: I could see he was annoyed so I made myself scarce. adverb (literary) only just; almost not: I can scarce remember him.