shortfall

noun

short·​fall ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl 

: a failure to come up to expectation or need

a budget shortfall

also : the amount of such failure

a $2 million shortfall

Examples of shortfall in a Sentence

a shortfall in milk production

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the efforts, China still faces an annual shortfall of around 6,000 tons of plasma, according to a CNN calculation based on industry data and estimation of domestic demand cited by Chinese state media. — Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

The shortfall is particularly serious because the United States and European partners are struggling to expand production. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

That cash shortfall has prompted significant financial strain, according to the survey of 1,028 workers conducted in June. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026

Many of those campuses have been navigating budget shortfalls. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shortfall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale