deficit
DEH-fih-siht
Deficit (noun) means a shortfall or lack — an amount by which something falls short of what is needed or expected. Example: “Many students arrive at school with a sleep deficit.”
noun
1
A shortfall or lack — an amount by which something falls short of what is needed or expected.
"Many students arrive at school with a sleep deficit."
"The team is running a talent deficit after two star players left."
"Years of poor sleep left him with a real energy deficit."
2
In finance or government, the amount by which spending exceeds income.
"The charity ran a deficit this year because donations fell."
"The government posted a record budget deficit this year."
"The company had to borrow to cover its trade deficit."
How to use deficit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gap where something — usually money — is missing compared to what should be there.
Common mistake
A "deficit" is a shortfall; a "debt" is what has built up as a result of running deficits over time — they are related but not interchangeable.
Common pairings
budget deficit
trade deficit
run a deficit
attention deficit
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Word forms
- Plural
- deficits
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Many students arrive at school with a sleep _____.
Etymology
From French déficit, ultimately from Latin dēficit ("it is lacking"). Related to "defect."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for deficit
See all rhymes for deficit →Frequently asked questions
What does “deficit” mean?
The word “deficit” means a shortfall or lack — an amount by which something falls short of what is needed or expected. In plain terms, a gap where something — usually money — is missing compared to what should be there.
How do you pronounce “deficit”?
“Deficit” is pronounced DEH-fih-siht (/ˈdɛfəsɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “deficit” in a sentence?
Here is “deficit” used in a sentence: “The team is running a talent deficit after two star players left.”
What is another word for “deficit”?
Words with a similar meaning to “deficit” include fiscal deficit and shortfall.
What is the opposite of “deficit”?
The opposite of “deficit” — its antonyms — is surplus.
What part of speech is “deficit”?
“Deficit” is a noun.
Where does the word “deficit” come from?
The word “deficit” comes from Latin. From French déficit, ultimately from Latin dēficit ("it is lacking"). Related to "defect.".
Is “deficit” a common word?
“Deficit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a deficit and a debt?
A deficit is the amount by which spending exceeds income over a given period, such as a single year. Debt is the accumulated total that is owed, built up over time — often the result of running deficits year after year. A government can shrink its deficit while its overall debt still grows.
What is the opposite of a deficit?
The opposite of a deficit is a surplus. Where a deficit means spending has exceeded income or something falls short of what is needed, a surplus means income has exceeded spending or there is more than required.
What is the difference between a deficit and a shortage?
A deficit is the measured amount by which something falls short of what is needed or expected — a gap you can put a number on, as in "a deficit of two million pounds." A shortage is a situation in which there is simply not enough of something to go around, such as a shortage of housing or staff.
What verbs are commonly used with deficit?
You run a deficit, face a deficit, and try to reduce, cut, or eliminate it. In sport, a team can also overturn or make up a deficit, meaning it recovers from being behind. "Run a deficit" is the standard phrase for continuing to spend more than you take in.
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