deficit

[def-uh-sit, dih-fis-it]

noun

1. the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount.

2. the amount by which expenditures or liabilities exceed income or assets.

3. a lack or shortage; deficiency.

4. a disadvantage, impairment, or handicap.

   The team's major deficit is its poor pitching.

5. a loss, as in the operation of a business.

deficit

/ ˈdɛfɪsɪt, dɪˈfɪsɪt /

noun

1. the amount by which an actual sum is lower than that expected or required

2. 1. an excess of liabilities over assets

   2. an excess of expenditures over revenues during a certain period

   3. an excess of payments over receipts on the balance of payments

deficit

1. A shortage, especially the amount by which a sum of money falls short of what is required; a debt.

Other Word Forms

• superdeficit noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deficit¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from Latin dēficit “(it) lacks,” 3rd-person singular present of dēficere “to fail, run short, lack, weaken”; deficient

Word History and Origins

Origin of deficit¹

C18: from Latin, literally: there is lacking, from dēficere to be lacking

Example Sentences

According to the order, the deal will help reduce America's trade deficit with Japan and provide US businesses "breakthrough openings".

From BBC

More than four in 10 universities in England expected to be in a financial deficit by this summer.

From BBC

The lineup couldn’t overcome another big deficit, scoring twice in the seventh only for the Pirates to get the runs back in the next two innings.

From Los Angeles Times

Shabana Mahmood said the change will "right the democratic deficit that has been uncovered" by ensuring the Sentencing Council can no longer issue new guidelines without her approval.

From BBC

Beijing would want India to open its market of 1.4 billion people to Chinese products, but Delhi would be wary of doing that without addressing the deficit.

From BBC

Related Words

• loss 
• shortfall