deficit
A deficit is an amount by which a resource, especially money, falls short of what is required or expected. It commonly describes a situation where spending exceeds income or when there is a shortage in a specific skill or quality.
Examples
3 of 5After buying the expensive car, he faced a personal budget deficit for the rest of the year.
He spent more money than he earned and had a shortage of funds after his purchase.
The government is struggling to reduce the national deficit through tax reforms.
The state is trying to fix the gap between its high spending and lower tax revenue.
I'm running on a sleep deficit this week because of the late-night projects.
I haven't slept enough lately and my body is lacking the rest it needs.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'deficient'. If you have a deficit, your bank account is 'deficient'—it is missing the money it should have.
Quick Quiz
The company's annual report showed a massive _____ because production costs were much higher than sales revenue.
Correct!
The correct answer is: deficit
Examples
After buying the expensive car, he faced a personal budget deficit for the rest of the year.
everydayHe spent more money than he earned and had a shortage of funds after his purchase.
The government is struggling to reduce the national deficit through tax reforms.
formalThe state is trying to fix the gap between its high spending and lower tax revenue.
I'm running on a sleep deficit this week because of the late-night projects.
informalI haven't slept enough lately and my body is lacking the rest it needs.
The study indicates a significant cognitive deficit in patients suffering from the condition.
academicResearch shows a measurable lack of normal mental function in these specific patients.
The trade deficit widened this quarter as imports significantly outpaced exports.
businessThe company or country bought more from abroad than it sold, resulting in a loss.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in deficit
having a negative balance or shortage
deficit spending
government spending financed by borrowing rather than taxation
structural deficit
a budget deficit that results from a fundamental imbalance
Often Confused With
Debt is the total amount of money owed over time, while deficit is the shortfall in a single period (e.g., a year).
Deficiency usually refers to a lack of a necessary quality or nutrient, while deficit is primarily used for quantities and finances.
Usage Notes
The word 'deficit' is most frequently used in financial and political contexts to discuss money. It is also common in psychology and medicine to describe a lack of certain abilities or functions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to use 'deficit' as a verb; however, it only functions as a noun in standard English. They also confuse it with 'debt', which represents the accumulated total of deficits.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'deficient'. If you have a deficit, your bank account is 'deficient'—it is missing the money it should have.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'deficit', the third-person singular present of 'deficere', meaning 'it is wanting' or 'it fails'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western democracies, the 'national deficit' is a major point of political contention during election cycles regarding fiscal responsibility.
Quick Quiz
The company's annual report showed a massive _____ because production costs were much higher than sales revenue.
Correct!
The correct answer is: deficit
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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