scarce scarce /ˈskɛrs/

adjective

1. Deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand  ( scarce )
   deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand
    Fresh vegetables were scarce during the drought
   fresh vegetables were scarce during the drought
   

adverb

1. () Only a very short time before  ( scarce , scarcely , barely , hardly , just )
   only a very short time before
    We hardly knew them
   we hardly knew them
    Had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open
   had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open
    Would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave
   would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave
   
2. Almost not  ( barely , scarce , scarcely , hardly )
   almost not
    He hardly ever goes fishing
   he hardly ever goes fishing
    He was scarce sixteen years old
   he was scarce sixteen years old
    They scarcely ever used the emergency generator
   they scarcely ever used the emergency generator
    I can hardly hear what she is saying
   I can hardly hear what she is saying
    She barely seemed to notice him
   she barely seemed to notice him
    We were so far back in the theater, we could barely read the subtitles
   we were so far back in the theater, we could barely read the subtitles