SCARCE: The general condition indicating that a good or resource is limited relative to the what people want. In terms of ALL resources and goods throughout society, the related term scarcity is used. Being scarce is what makes it possible to exchange goods and resources through markets, and most importantly, charge a price. If a good is not scarce, which means that the economy has more than enough to satisfy all available uses, then there is no way to sell it. Who would buy such an item, pay a price for it, give up something of value in exchange for it, when it is so abundant? Likewise, if a item is so abundant, using it to satisfy one use does not impose an opportunity cost on other uses.

     See also | scarcity | goods | services | resources | market | exchange | price | opportunity cost | shortage | equilibrium price | quantity demanded | quantity supplied | surplus | economic good | scarce good | scarce resource | free good | free resource |

SCARCE, AmosWEB GLOSS*arama, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2026. [Accessed: June 9, 2026].

Additional information on this term can be found at:

WEB*pedia: scarce

Back to the GLOSS*arama

A simultaneous increase in the willingness and ability of buyers to purchase a good at the existing price, illustrated by a rightward shift of the demand curve, and a decrease in the willingness and ability of sellers to sell a good at the existing price, illustrated by a leftward shift of the supply curve. When combined, both shifts result in an indeterminant change in equilibrium quantity and an increase in equilibrium price.

Complete Entry | Visit the WEB*pedia

Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time going from convenience store to convenience store seeking to buy either a set of steel-belted radial snow tires or a wall poster commemorating the 2000 Presidential election. Be on the lookout for small children selling products door-to-door.
Your Complete Scope

This isn't me! What am I?

-- Barbara Bush, first lady

User Feedback