noun
shortage
SHAW-tihj
noun
1
A situation where there is not enough of something needed.
"The hospital is dealing with a severe staff shortage."
"A shortage of chips slowed down car production worldwide."
How to Use Shortage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot having enough of something.
Common pairings
water shortage
labour shortage
chronic shortage
food shortage
Word Forms
shortages plural
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The hospital is dealing with a severe staff _____.
Etymology
From short + the suffix -age.