DURTH
(noun) A lack or scarcity of something.
There was a dearth of medical supplies after the storm.
Fun Fact
“Dearth” originally meant “high price” in Middle English, referring to scarcity driving up value. Over time, it evolved to mean any shortage—of food, resources, opportunities, or ideas. It’s often used in economic, academic, or policy contexts to highlight the urgency created by what’s missing.
VOL-yuh-buhl
(adjective) Speaking easily, rapidly, and at great length, especially with enthusiasm.
At the dinner party, he became increasingly voluble as the conversation turned to politics.
Voluble comes from the Latin volubilis, meaning “rolling” or “turning easily,” from volvere (“to roll”). The word originally described physical motion, but over time it shifted metaphorically to describe speech that flows freely and continuously, as if words are rolling out without resistance.
Fun Fact
Voluble doesn’t necessarily imply intelligence or insight — only fluency and abundance. Someone can be voluble while saying very little of substance, which is why the word often carries a subtle tone of skepticism rather than praise.