deficiency
dih-FIH-shuhn-see
Deficiency (noun) means a lack or shortage of something necessary, especially for health. Example: “The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D deficiency.”
noun
1
A lack or shortage of something necessary, especially for health.
"The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D deficiency."
"The report highlighted several deficiencies in the safety plan."
"An iron deficiency can leave you feeling tired and weak."
How to use deficiency
Learner’s notes
Common pairings
iron deficiency
vitamin deficiency
nutritional deficiency
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like deficiency.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- deficiencies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D _____.
Etymology
From "deficient" plus the noun-forming suffix -cy, echoing Latin dēficientia.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deficiency
agency
latency
urgency
potency
decency
regency
currency
tendency
clemency
leniency
frequency
emergency
See all rhymes for deficiency →
Frequently asked questions
What does “deficiency” mean?
The word “deficiency” means a lack or shortage of something necessary, especially for health.
How do you pronounce “deficiency”?
“Deficiency” is pronounced dih-FIH-shuhn-see (/dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “deficiency” in a sentence?
Here is “deficiency” used in a sentence: “The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D deficiency.”
What part of speech is “deficiency”?
“Deficiency” is a noun.
Where does the word “deficiency” come from?
The word “deficiency” comes from Latin. From "deficient" plus the noun-forming suffix -cy, echoing Latin dēficientia.
Is “deficiency” a common word?
“Deficiency” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a deficiency and a disorder?
A deficiency is specifically a lack or shortage of something necessary, such as a nutrient or vitamin, while a disorder is a broader term for any disruption of normal function. A deficiency can cause a disorder, but the word deficiency points to a missing ingredient rather than the resulting condition.
Is deficiency used mainly in medical contexts?
Deficiency is very common in medical and nutritional writing, as in "iron deficiency" or "vitamin D deficiency," but it can describe any shortage of something necessary, including skills, funding, or resources. Its core meaning is simply a lack of something needed, especially for health.
What prepositions commonly follow deficiency?
Deficiency is typically followed by "in" or "of," as in "a deficiency in vitamin B12" or "a deficiency of calcium." Both patterns are standard, though "deficiency in" is slightly more common before naming the missing nutrient or quality.
