Synonyms

in short supply

Idioms

Less than is needed, lacking. For example, Skilled operators were in short supply, or The hotels are all full, and beds are in short supply. [First half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Air-defense interceptors aren’t the only munitions that are in short supply.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sunshine was in short supply - as people in Aberdeen will confirm.

From BBC

Chips aren’t the only thing in short supply as companies engage in a mad dash to develop artificial-intelligence applications.

From MarketWatch

In general, it’s good to own a commodity that’s in short supply.

From Barron's

This process becomes especially important when oxygen is in short supply.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023