pénurie

/pe.ny.ʁi/
nounIntermediate
formal

A severe lack or shortage of something essential, especially goods or resources.

La pénurie d'eau a forcé les habitants à rationner leur consommation.

The water shortage forced residents to ration their consumption.

Les pénuries alimentaires sont fréquentes dans les zones de conflit.

Food shortages are common in conflict zones.

💡

Often used in economic, social, or humanitarian contexts to describe critical shortages.

Collocations

pénurie deshortage offaire face à une pénurieto face a shortage

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

être en pénuriephrase
to be in short supply

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

Use 'pénurie' for severe shortages, not minor or temporary ones.

Gold Rule

Formal Usage

This word is formal and typically used in serious contexts like economics or humanitarian crises.

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'penurie', from Latin 'penuria', meaning 'poverty' or 'scarcity'.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in formal contexts to describe critical shortages of essential goods or resources. Avoid using it for minor or temporary shortages.

Word Breakdown

pénurie
shortage
root
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais