famine

fam-ine · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Extreme scarcity of food, especially affecting a large area and many people.

  2. 2.

    A severe shortage of something.

Forms

plural: famines

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    feast or famine — a situation of either extreme plenty or extreme scarcity
  • •
    famine relief — aid provided to areas affected by food shortages

Related words

Antonyms: abundance, feast, plenty
See also: drought, hunger, scarcity, starvation
Synonyms: food_shortage, hunger, scarcity, starvation

Etymology

From Old French famine meaning "famine, hunger, starvation," from Vulgar Latin famina, from Latin fames meaning "hunger, starvation."