Which noun means a scarcity or lack of something?

• A. Ephemeral
• B. Cogitate
• C. Enervate
• D. Dearth

Answer: (D)

Understanding how to recognize a noun that means scarcity or lack helps you choose the right word. The word that fits this meaning is dearth, a noun that denotes a shortage or insufficiency of something. You’ll see it in contexts like “a dearth of resources,” where the emphasis is on not having enough.

Ephemeral describes something short-lived, not a shortage in quantity. Cogitate means to think deeply or ponder. Enervate means to weaken or drain of energy. So while those words describe time or action or energy, they don’t capture the idea of a shortage the way dearth does.