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

Some medical experts are concerned that virtual care may be insufficient for prescribing weight loss drugs. —Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026

Tomato leaves often curl due to care and environmental factors, including insufficient watering and pests. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026

Officers are working overtime due to insufficient hiring. —Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

Her mother, Cynthia Montoya, who lives in Mullica’s district, argued the bill was insufficient. —Jon Murray, Denver Post, 29 May 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