insufficient

adjective

in·​suf·​fi·​cient ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt 

: not sufficient : inadequate

insufficient funds

especially : lacking adequate power, capacity, or competence

insufficient bandwidth

insufficiently adverb

Synonyms of insufficient

• lacking
• inadequate
• scarce
• low

Examples of insufficient in a Sentence

The case was thrown out because of insufficient evidence.

there's been an insufficient number of volunteers for the job, so I'll have to select someone

Recent Examples on the Web

He was released from custody on a $50,000 bond that was later twice held insufficient, once because deputies alleged Ponce was in possession of two guns. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026

Attendance dwindled, and betting became insufficient to pay for the expense of housing hundreds of horses and workers. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

In June, the NFL concluded its investigation and informed Diggs there was insufficient evidence to support a personal conduct policy violation. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Some 71 percent reported their wages were insufficient to meet basic household needs. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin insufficient-, insufficiens, from Latin in- + sufficient-, sufficiens sufficient

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insufficient

• beneficent
• coefficient
• inefficient
• deficient
• efficient
• omniscient
• proficient
• sufficient

Kids Definition

insufficient

adjective

in·​suf·​fi·​cient ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ənt 

: not sufficient : inadequate

insufficiently adverb