Insufficient: meaning, definitions and examples

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insufficient

 

[ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

quantity

Not enough or not adequate; lacking in quantity, quality, or degree.

Synonyms

deficient, inadequate, insatisfactory.

Examples of usage

  • There was insufficient evidence to convict him.
  • The company faced financial difficulties due to insufficient funds.
  • She received an insufficient grade on her project.
Context #2 | Noun

food

A food product that does not provide the necessary nutrients for proper health.

Synonyms

poor, unbalanced, unhealthy.

Examples of usage

  • Eating only fast food is a diet high in insufficient.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'insufficientem', meaning 'not enough'.
  • It combines the prefix 'in-' (not) with 'sufficient', which means enough or adequate.
  • The term first appeared in English around the 15th century.

Psychology

  • Feelings of insufficiency can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety in individuals.
  • Cognitive distortions, such as 'all-or-nothing thinking,' can contribute to feelings of being insufficient.
  • Research indicates that being in a supportive environment can help counter feelings of insufficiency.

Economics

  • In economics, insufficient resources can lead to scarcity, affecting supply and demand.
  • Economic insufficiency can influence personal finance decisions and budgeting.
  • Communities experiencing insufficient infrastructure often face challenges like limited access to services.

Education

  • Students may feel insufficient if they struggle to meet academic expectations, impacting their learning.
  • Insufficient teaching resources can hinder the academic growth and engagement of students.
  • Addressing feelings of insufficiency in the classroom can lead to better student outcomes.

Pop Culture

  • The theme of feeling insufficient is common in various movies and songs, highlighting personal struggles.
  • In social media, individuals may share moments of feeling insufficient compared to idealized lifestyles portrayed online.
  • Characters in literature often grapple with their own insufficiencies, leading to profound character development.

Translations

Translations of the word "insufficient" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insuficiente

🇮🇳 अपर्याप्त

🇩🇪 unzureichend

🇮🇩 tidak cukup

🇺🇦 недостатній

🇵🇱 niewystarczający

🇯🇵 不十分な (ふじゅうぶんな)

🇫🇷 insuffisant

🇪🇸 insuficiente

🇹🇷 yetersiz

🇰🇷 불충분한 (bulchungbunhan)

🇸🇦 غير كافٍ

🇨🇿 nedostatečný

🇸🇰 nedostatočný

🇨🇳 不足的 (bùzú de)

🇸🇮 nezadosten

🇮🇸 ófullnægjandi

🇰🇿 жеткіліксіз

🇬🇪 არასაკმარისი

🇦🇿 kifayət qədər deyil

🇲🇽 insuficiente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,841, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.