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

The county has faced relatively small budget shortfalls in the last couple of years and is now dipping into its reserves to the tune of $95 million. — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2026

Spending in California has generally exceeded revenue growth during Newsom’s tenure in the governor’s office, creating a chronic shortfall. — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

At the same time, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, which has been tapped to cover budget shortfalls, is being rapidly depleted and just a fraction of prewar levels. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 June 2026

The city has already cut its homeless outreach and phased out a medical ambulance at one of its fire stations due to its budget shortfall. — Steve Large, CBS News, 26 June 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