scarce/scarcely/scarcity

scarce /skɛəs/ adj. 1. 不足的，缺乏的(作表语)：Water is scarce in some place. 某处缺水。We are not scarce of water.我们不缺水。［考句］If this kind of fish becomes scarce, future generations may never taste it at all.如果这类鱼已变得稀少，后人将会永远吃不到了。 2.稀少的，罕见的： conserve China’s scarce resources 节约使用中国有限的资源；a scarce traffic accident 一起罕见的交通事故；scarce materials 稀有材料

 scarcely /ˈskɛəsli/ adv. 1.几乎不，简直不(放在系动词后实义动词前)：He can scarcely walk. 他几乎走不动路。There is scarcely a perfect person in the world. 世上无完人。 2.决不：We can scarcely expect him to keep his promise. 我们决不能指望他遵守诺言。 3.刚刚，才(scarcely…when 意同 hardly…when…和 no sooner…than…)：Scarcely had the discussion begun when it was interrupted. 讨论会刚开始就被打断。

scarcity /ˈskɛəsiti/ n.[u] 缺乏，不足：scarcity of budgetary resources(labour)预算经费（劳动力）短缺；capital scarcity资金不足 The scarcity of skilled workers is worrying the government.熟练工人的缺乏困扰着政府。