deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfi-shən-sē 

plural deficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being defective or of lacking some necessary quality or element : the quality or state of being deficient : inadequacy

suffers from a deficiency of critical thinking

2

: an amount that is lacking or inadequate : shortage

staffing deficiencies

: such as

a

: a shortage of substances necessary to health

a vitamin C deficiency

hormone deficiencies

b

genetics : deletion sense 2b(1)

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of deficiency in a Sentence

The disease may be caused by nutritional deficiencies.

The book's major deficiency is its poor plot.

a deficiency of vitamin C

There are several deficiencies in his plan.

The accident was caused by deficiencies in the engine.

Recent Examples on the Web

Per the lawsuit, Brown had a mild intellectual disability, chromosomal deficiency disorder, and other health complications. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 May 2024

The suit specified that Brown had a chromosomal deficiency disorder, a developmental delay, a mild intellectual disability and high blood pressure. —Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

defici(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deficiency

• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• deficiency disease
• mental deficiency

Kids Definition

deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural deficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being deficient

2

: the quality or state of being inadequate

especially : a shortage of substances necessary to health

Medical Definition

deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural deficiencies

1

: a shortage of substances (as vitamins) necessary to health

2

: deletion

Legal Definition

deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfi-shən-sē 

plural deficiencies

: an amount that is lacking or inadequate: as

a

: the difference between the amount of tax owed and the amount of tax paid

b

: the difference between the amount owed under a security agreement and the amount the creditor is able to recover upon default of the debtor by selling the collateral