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Deficient: meaning, definitions and examples

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deficient

 

[ dɪˈfɪʃənt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lacking in something

Not having enough of a particular quality or ingredient; inadequate or insufficient.

Synonyms

defective, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, scarce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deficient

Used when something is missing an important element or lacks sufficient qualities or quantities. Often used in medical, nutritional, or academic contexts.

  • His diet is deficient in vitamins.
  • The report was deficient in important details.
inadequate

Used when something is not enough or not good enough for a specific purpose. Often used in formal or official contexts.

  • The resources supplied were inadequate for the task.
  • Her preparation for the exam was inadequate.
insufficient

Similar to 'inadequate,' but focuses more on quantity rather than quality. Used in formal contexts, particularly in financial, academic, or organizational settings.

  • There was insufficient evidence to convict him.
  • The funding for the project is insufficient.
lacking

Used to describe something that is missing or not present in the necessary amount. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • Her performance was lacking in enthusiasm.
  • The team is lacking a good leader.
defective

Used to describe something that is broken, flawed, or not working correctly. Often refers to products, machinery, or physical items.

  • The manufacturer had to recall the defective cars.
  • This toy is defective and needs to be exchanged.
scarce

Used to describe something that is in short supply or hard to find. Often used in economic, environmental, or resource-related contexts.

  • Fresh water is becoming scarce in many regions.
  • Jobs in this field are scarce.

Examples of usage

  • The team's defense was deficient in speed and coordination.
  • Her diet was deficient in essential vitamins and minerals.
  • The report highlighted the deficient infrastructure of the city.
  • The deficient rainfall led to a drought in the region.
  • The deficient budget resulted in cutbacks in essential services.

Translations

Translations of the word "deficient" in other languages:

🇵🇹 deficiente

🇮🇳 अपूर्ण

🇩🇪 mangelhaft

🇮🇩 defisien

🇺🇦 дефіцитний

🇵🇱 niedostateczny

🇯🇵 不足している

🇫🇷 déficient

🇪🇸 deficiente

🇹🇷 yetersiz

🇰🇷 부족한

🇸🇦 ناقص

🇨🇿 nedostatečný

🇸🇰 nedostatočný

🇨🇳 不足的

🇸🇮 pomanjkljiv

🇮🇸 ófullnægjandi

🇰🇿 жеткіліксіз

🇬🇪 დეფიციტური

🇦🇿 çatışmaz

🇲🇽 deficiente

Etymology

The word 'deficient' originated from the Latin word 'deficiens', which means 'failing' or 'lacking'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. Over time, 'deficient' has been used to describe a variety of situations where there is a lack or insufficiency of something, whether it be in quantity, quality, or performance.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,158 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.