deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfi-shən-sē 

plural deficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being defective or of lacking some necessary quality or element : the quality or state of being deficient : inadequacy

suffers from a deficiency of critical thinking

2

: an amount that is lacking or inadequate : shortage

staffing deficiencies

: such as

a

: a shortage of substances necessary to health

a vitamin C deficiency

hormone deficiencies

b

genetics : deletion sense 2b(1)

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of deficiency in a Sentence

The disease may be caused by nutritional deficiencies.

The book's major deficiency is its poor plot.

a deficiency of vitamin C

There are several deficiencies in his plan.

The accident was caused by deficiencies in the engine.

Recent Examples on the Web

The deficiency has been linked to changes in the ocean ecosystem, where salmon have been feeding on more anchovies. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024

Zinc may cause nausea and, in high doses, copper deficiency. —Amanda Gardner, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

Avoiding an excess of refined carbs, sugar, dairy and sun exposure can make a major difference, as well as staying active and eating a balanced diet—deficiencies in omega 3, vitamin D3 and zinc also contribute to excess sebum. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

However, a standard examination by the Coast Guard in September didn’t mention those deficiencies. —María Soledad Davila Calero, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024

The deficiency involved gauges and thermometers, but the website's online records did not elaborate. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2024

Experts cautioned not to read too much into the deficiencies recorded in June. —Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024

But for the North Carolina fans who worry over every deficiency, however idiosyncratic, a question might arise: Is everything alright with Elliot Cadeau? —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024

The company said that research has shown that toddler milk can provide nutrition and help improve the diet of children age 1 and older, reducing the risk of iron and vitamin D deficiency. —Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

defici(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deficiency

• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• deficiency disease
• mental deficiency

Kids Definition

deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural deficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being deficient

2

: the quality or state of being inadequate

especially : a shortage of substances necessary to health

Medical Definition

deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural deficiencies

1

: a shortage of substances (as vitamins) necessary to health

2

: deletion

Legal Definition

deficiency

noun

de·​fi·​cien·​cy di-ˈfi-shən-sē 

plural deficiencies

: an amount that is lacking or inadequate: as

a

: the difference between the amount of tax owed and the amount of tax paid

b

: the difference between the amount owed under a security agreement and the amount the creditor is able to recover upon default of the debtor by selling the collateral