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

Operational Performance Early intervention in crew scheduling, maintenance conflicts or fuel shortfalls prevents the domino effect. — Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

The city faces a budget shortfall, and the school district is underenrolled. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

The coverage shortfall forced the couple to complete a majority of repairs on their own. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Facing a massive defense budget shortfall, Ukraine has not been able to cash in on the millions of dollars earned by its clandestine adult-content industry. — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 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