deficient

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective inadequate in amount or degree
  2. adjective of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
  3. adjective falling short of some prescribed norm

Etymology

From Latin deficiens, present participle of deficere (“to lack, fail, be wanting”); see defect.

In classic literature

Synonyms

lacking, wanting

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