Underspend: meaning, definitions and examples

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underspend

[ ʌndərˈspɛnd ]

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financial management

To underspend refers to spending less than what is available or allocated for a budget or project. It indicates a situation where the actual expenditure is lower than intended or necessary.

Synonyms

conserve, save, skimp

Examples of usage

The department managed to underspend its annual budget efficiently.
Due to careful planning, we were able to underspend this quarter.
The project was completed under budget as we chose to underspend on materials.

Translations

Translations of the word "underspend" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gastar menos

🇮🇳 कम खर्च करना

🇩🇪 weniger ausgeben

🇮🇩 menghabiskan kurang

🇺🇦 витрачати менше

🇵🇱 wydać mniej

🇯🇵 少なく使う

🇫🇷 dépenser moins

🇪🇸 gastar menos

🇹🇷 daha az harcamak

🇰🇷 덜 쓰다

🇸🇦 إنفاق أقل

🇨🇿 utrácet méně

🇸🇰 míň utrácať

🇨🇳 花费较少

🇸🇮 porabiti manj

🇮🇸 eyða minna

🇰🇿 аз жұмсау

🇬🇪 ნაკლები ხარჯვა

🇦🇿 az xərcləmək

🇲🇽 gastar menos

Word origin

The term 'underspend' is a compound of the prefix 'under-' meaning beneath or less than, and 'spend', which has its origins in Middle English 'spenden', derived from Old French 'despendre' meaning to spend or disburse. The prefix 'under-' has been used since the Old English period, suggesting a deficiency or lack in terms of quantity. The concept of underspending has become particularly relevant in financial discussions since the late 20th century when strict budgetary controls became more prevalent in both public and private sectors. The growing emphasis on accountability and efficient resource allocation has led organizations to monitor their spending more closely to avoid underspending or overspending, further cementing the term in contemporary financial lexicon.