noun

deficiency

deficiency, lack, shortage

The doctor found a vitamin D deficiency.

The doctor found a vitamin D deficiency.

There is a deficiency of skilled workers.

There is a deficiency of skilled workers.

((a deficiency)) ((in/of sth.)) a lack of (sth.) The report noted a deficiency in funding.

Synonyms: lack, shortage, insufficiency; Antonyms: abundance, surplus

From Latin 'deficere' (to be wanting). 'de-' (away) + 'facere' (to make). A state where something is not made or is lacking.

Think of 'de-' as 'down' or 'less'. A deficiency is when you have less of something than you need.

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