Underfund: meaning, definitions and examples

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underfund

 

[ ˌʌndərˈfʌnd ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

finance

To provide insufficient funds for a particular project or initiative.

Synonyms

undercapitalize, underfinance, undersupply.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
underfund

This word is commonly used when an organization, project, or sector does not receive enough financial resources to operate effectively. It often implies a chronic or systemic issue.

  • The public school system continues to underfund arts programs
  • The healthcare department is severely underfunded, affecting patient care
underfinance

Similar to underfund, this word is used to describe insufficient financial support but is less common. It often implies temporary or situational shortcomings rather than systemic issues.

  • The research project was underfinanced and couldn't proceed as planned
  • The new initiative was underfinanced, causing delays and inefficiencies
undersupply

This word describes a situation where there are insufficient quantities of goods or resources. It can apply to various contexts, including economics, supply chain management, and public services.

  • The natural disaster led to an undersupply of essential goods
  • The vaccine rollout faced challenges due to an undersupply of doses
undercapitalize

This term is specifically used in business contexts, often referring to a company that does not have sufficient capital to support its operations and growth. It suggests poor financial planning or inadequate investment at the outset.

  • Many startups fail because they undercapitalize and can't survive the initial phases
  • The company was undercapitalized from the beginning and struggled to meet payroll

Examples of usage

  • The government has consistently underfunded public education.
  • The company decided to underfund the research and development department, leading to a lack of innovation.
  • If we continue to underfund this program, it will not be able to reach its full potential.
Context #2 | Noun

finance

Insufficient funding for a specific purpose or project.

Synonyms

undercapitalization, underfunding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
underfund

This word is used when an entity or project is receiving insufficient funding to operate effectively. It can apply to various contexts such as government programs, educational institutions, or businesses.

  • The public school system is severely underfunded, affecting the quality of education.
  • Despite its potential, the research project was underfunded and had to be discontinued.
underfunding

Similar to 'underfund', but typically used as a noun to describe the state or condition of receiving inadequate funds. Appropriate for discussing ongoing conditions or systemic issues.

  • Underfunding of healthcare has led to critical shortages of medical supplies.
  • The chronic underfunding of social services is a major concern for the community.
undercapitalization

Use this term primarily in business or economic contexts when a company does not have sufficient capital to cover its operational costs or to thrive. It's a technical term often found in financial reports and discussions about company structure.

  • The startup faced undercapitalization issues, which hindered its growth.
  • Undercapitalization is a common problem among new businesses struggling to secure enough investment.

Examples of usage

  • The underfund of the healthcare system has resulted in a lack of necessary resources.
  • The underfund of the arts program has limited its ability to support local artists.

Translations

Translations of the word "underfund" in other languages:

🇵🇹 subfinanciar

🇮🇳 अपेक्षित धन न देना

🇩🇪 unterfinanzieren

🇮🇩 kurang dana

🇺🇦 недофінансовувати

🇵🇱 niedofinansować

🇯🇵 資金不足にする

🇫🇷 sous-financer

🇪🇸 infrafinanciar

🇹🇷 yetersiz finanse etmek

🇰🇷 자금 부족

🇸🇦 نقص التمويل

🇨🇿 nedostatečně financovat

🇸🇰 nedostatočne financovať

🇨🇳 资金不足

🇸🇮 podfinancirati

🇮🇸 vanfjármagna

🇰🇿 қаржыландыру жеткіліксіз

🇬🇪 ფინანსურად არასაკმარისი

🇦🇿 yetərincə maliyyələşdirməmək

🇲🇽 infrafinanciar

Etymology

The word 'underfund' originated in the mid-20th century, combining 'under' (insufficiently) and 'fund' (provide with money). It is commonly used in financial contexts to describe a situation where there is not enough money allocated for a specific purpose or project.

See also: fund, funder, funding, fundraiser, fundraising, funds, refund, underfunding, unfunded.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,310, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.