Deficits: meaning, definitions and examples

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deficits

[ˈdefɪsɪts ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

economic situation

Deficits refer to the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount. In the context of economics, deficits usually refer to budget deficits, where a government's spending exceeds its revenue. Deficits can lead to increased borrowing and debt accumulation.

Synonyms

debt, shortage, shortfall.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shortfall	Used when there is a failure to meet a financial target or expectation; often discussed in business, budgets, or production contexts. The nonprofit is facing a shortfall in its funding this year. The production shortfall led to delays in delivery.
debt	Pertains to an amount of money borrowed and expected to be paid back, often used in contexts like personal finance, national finance, or business. She has a lot of student debt to pay off. The country's national debt is reaching unprecedented levels.
shortage	Refers to a situation where the supply of something is less than the demand, applicable to goods, services, resources, etc. There is a shortage of nurses in the hospital. The grocery store faced a shortage of bread after the storm.

Word

Description / Examples

shortfall

Used when there is a failure to meet a financial target or expectation; often discussed in business, budgets, or production contexts.

The nonprofit is facing a shortfall in its funding this year.
The production shortfall led to delays in delivery.

debt

Pertains to an amount of money borrowed and expected to be paid back, often used in contexts like personal finance, national finance, or business.

She has a lot of student debt to pay off.
The country's national debt is reaching unprecedented levels.

shortage

Refers to a situation where the supply of something is less than the demand, applicable to goods, services, resources, etc.

There is a shortage of nurses in the hospital.
The grocery store faced a shortage of bread after the storm.

Examples of usage

The country's budget deficits have been steadily increasing over the past few years.
The government is working on measures to reduce the deficits and stabilize the economy.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

deficiency or lack

Deficits can also refer to deficiencies or lacks, such as a deficit in knowledge or skills. It indicates a shortage or inadequacy in a particular area.

Synonyms

insufficiency, scarcity, shortage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deficits	Similar to 'deficit', but specifically in plural form, useful when discussing multiple shortfalls in different contexts. The organization has several deficits that need to be addressed Both the fiscal and trade deficits pose a challenge to the economy
shortage	Appropriate for everyday use when there's a lack of supply, often temporary and tangible items. There is a shortage of workers in the tech industry The city is experiencing a shortage of medical supplies
insufficiency	Best used when talking about a general lack of something, often in a medical, nutritional, or functional context. The patient was diagnosed with insulin insufficiency There was an insufficiency of data to draw a conclusion
scarcity	Ideal for situations where there is a limited availability of resources, often leading to increased value or competition. Water scarcity is becoming a major issue in many regions The scarcity of affordable housing is a growing concern

Examples of usage

There is a deficit of qualified workers in the labor market.
The deficit in funding for education has resulted in poor quality facilities.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'deficit' comes from the Latin 'deficere', meaning 'to fail' or 'to be lacking'.
The term has been used in English since the late 14th century, mainly relating to shortfalls in resources.

Economics

In economics, a budget deficit occurs when expenses exceed revenues, prompting governments to borrow money.
Many countries implement policies to reduce deficits during economic downturns to stabilize their finances.

Psychology

In a psychological context, deficits can refer to a lack of skills or abilities, such as cognitive deficits affecting learning processes.
Research shows that emotional deficits, like a lack of empathy, can impact social interactions and relationships.

Education

In special education, learning deficits may require tailored teaching methods to help students catch up.
Teachers often use assessments to identify skill deficits in students to provide additional support where necessary.

Health

Nutritional deficits refer to a lack of essential vitamins or minerals, which can lead to various health issues.
In mental health, deficits in coping skills can contribute to anxiety or depression disorders.

Translations

Translations of the word "deficits" in other languages:

🇵🇹 déficits

🇮🇳 घाटे

🇩🇪 Defizite

🇮🇩 defisit

🇺🇦 дефіцити

🇵🇱 deficyty

🇯🇵 赤字

🇫🇷 déficits

🇪🇸 déficits

🇹🇷 açıklar

🇰🇷 적자

🇸🇦 عجز

🇨🇿 deficity

🇸🇰 deficity

🇨🇳 赤字

🇸🇮 primanjkljaji

🇮🇸 halli

🇰🇿 дефициттер

🇬🇪 დეფიციტები

🇦🇿 kəsirlər

🇲🇽 déficits

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,679 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
7676 nutritional
7677 hygiene
7678 variant
7679 deficits
7680 leakage
7681 sensing
7682 woven
...