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

It is often projected that the continent’s high fertility rates will make up for shortfalls elsewhere—but that will likely not happen. — Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2026

Education groups argued that allowing the tax to expire in 2031 would leave schools facing a $10 billion annual funding shortfall. — Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026

While this mechanism shields local taxpayers from shortfalls, passengers may bear the financial brunt. — Chase Jordan updated November 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2026

This is $125 billion more than the shortfall recorded last October. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Nov. 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