The dearth of affordable housing in the city has made it difficult for low-income families to find suitable places to live.
synonyms
scarcityshortageinsufficiency
word origin — Middle English 'derthe', from Old English 'deorþ' meaning 'precious, costly, or high' in reference to scarcity.
dearth, parity, endeavor, aristocracy, capitalism: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 30. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
dearth · noun/dɜrθ/
a scarcity or lack of something
The dearth of affordable housing in the city has made it difficult for low-income families to find suitable places to live.
Synonyms: scarcity, shortage, insufficiency
Origin: Middle English 'derthe', from Old English 'deorþ' meaning 'precious, costly, or high' in reference to scarcity.
parity · noun/ˈpær.ɪ.ti/
the state of being equal or equivalent
Achieving gender parity in the workplace remains a significant challenge for many organizations.
Synonyms: equivalence, equality, sameness
Origin: from Latin 'paritas', meaning 'equality', derived from 'par' meaning 'equal'
endeavor · verb/ɪnˈdɛvər/
to attempt or try to achieve a goal or purpose
She decided to endeavor to learn a new language before her trip abroad.
Synonyms: attempt, strive
Origin: from Middle English 'endevoren', which comes from the Old French 'endevoir', meaning 'to put in effort, to put in duty or obligation'
aristocracy · noun/ˌær.ɪsˈtɑ.krə.si/
a class of people holding exceptional rank and privileges especially the nobility
During the 18th century, the aristocracy wielded significant power and influence over the political landscape of Europe.
Synonyms: nobility, elite, gentry
Origin: derived from the Greek word 'aristokratia', from 'aristos' meaning 'best' and 'kratos' meaning 'power' or 'rule'
capitalism · noun/ˈkæpɪtəlɪzəm/
an economic system in which private individuals own and control property and businesses
Many believe that capitalism fosters innovation and economic growth by allowing individuals to own and operate businesses freely.
Origin: The term 'capitalism' derives from 'capital', which comes from the Latin word 'capitale', meaning 'head' or 'property', indicating ownership of capital assets.