deficient
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for deficient, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Lacking something necessary or sufficient; inadequate.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use deficient
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
deficient in
nutritionally deficient
Etymology
From Latin dēficiēns, the present participle of dēficere ("to lack, fail"), the same root as "defect."
Full origin of deficient →Frequently asked questions
What does “deficient” mean?
The word “deficient” means lacking something necessary or sufficient; inadequate.
How do you pronounce “deficient”?
“Deficient” is pronounced dih-FIH-shuhnt (/dɪˈfɪʃənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “deficient” in a sentence?
Here is “deficient” used in a sentence: “His diet was deficient in essential vitamins.”
What part of speech is “deficient”?
“Deficient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “deficient” come from?
The word “deficient” comes from Latin. From Latin dēficiēns, the present participle of dēficere ("to lack, fail"), the same root as "defect.".
Is “deficient” a common word?
“Deficient” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
