insufficiency

in·suf·fi·cien·cy

noun \ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē\

plural in·suf·fi·cien·cies

Definition of INSUFFICIENCY

1

: the quality or state of being insufficient: as

a : lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence <the insufficiency of this person for public office>

b : lack of adequate supply <insufficiency of provisions>

c : lack of physical power or capacity; especially : inability of an organ or body part to function normally <renal insufficiency>

2

: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations

Examples of INSUFFICIENCY

1. <dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket>
2. <her alleged insufficiency for the job>

First Known Use of INSUFFICIENCY

1526

Related to INSUFFICIENCY

Synonyms

crunch, dearth, deficit, drought (also drouth), failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, deficiency, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want

Antonyms

abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth

Related Words

absence, omission; meagerness, poorness, skimpiness; necessity, need, privation

Near Antonyms

bountifulness, copiousness; excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

in·suf·fi·cien·cy

noun \ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; in·suf·fi·cien·cies

Medical Definition of INSUFFICIENCY

: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as a : lack of adequate supply of something <an insufficiency of vitamins> b : lack of physical power or capacity; especially : inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally <renal insufficiency> <pulmonary insufficiency>—compare aortic regurgitation

—in·suf·fi·cient \-ənt\ (audio pronunciation) adjective