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adjective

understaffed

Understaffed (adjective) means not having enough staff to do the work properly. Example: “The hospital was badly understaffed during the night shift.”

adjective
1
Not having enough staff to do the work properly.
"The hospital was badly understaffed during the night shift."

How to use understaffed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishShort on workers relative to how much needs to be done.

Common pairings
chronically understaffed understaffed and overworked

Word forms

more understaffed comparative, most understaffed superlative

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The hospital was badly _____ during the night shift.

Etymology

From under- plus staffed.

Rhymes for understaffed

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Frequently asked questions

What does “understaffed” mean?

The word “understaffed” means not having enough staff to do the work properly. In plain terms, short on workers relative to how much needs to be done.

How do you use “understaffed” in a sentence?

Here is “understaffed” used in a sentence: “The hospital was badly understaffed during the night shift.”

What part of speech is “understaffed”?

“Understaffed” is an adjective.

What is the meaning of understaffed?

"understaffed" (adjective) means not having enough staff to do the work properly.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial