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

If the state or local governments want to maintain the same revenue, Amendment 3 would necessitate tax increases in other areas, or more federal dollars to make up for the shortfall. — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Behind the lights staying on is a gruelling financial trade off where ZESCO is running tens of millions of dollars in monthly shortfall, buying regional power at more than two times the retail rates home. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

The Pentagon is requesting $67 billion in supplemental funding from Congress, some of which would address munitions shortfalls. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 29 July 2026

And unlike other businesses that fail to generate profits and go bankrupt, any financial shortfalls from these stores will be absorbed by the city. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 28 July 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