Deficient
/dɪˈfɪʃənt/
Definitions
Lacking something necessary; inadequate or insufficient.
/dɪˈfɪʃənt/
Lacking an essential quality or element; not up to a certain standard.
The diet was deficient in essential vitamins and minerals.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking cookies, but you run out of chocolate chips. If your cookies have a *deficient* amount of chocolate, they won't be as good as they could be. It means something is missing or not quite enough.
👶 For kids: Not having enough of something you need.
More Examples
The investigation revealed deficient security measures.
Her performance was deficient due to lack of preparation.
How It's Used
"The patient was iron-deficient, leading to anemia."
"The company's financial reports revealed a deficient cash flow."
"The student's essay was deficient in supporting evidence."
From Latin *deficiens*, present participle of *deficere* "to fail, be lacking," from *de-* "away, off" + *facere* "to do, make." The word entered English in the late 14th century.
The word *deficient* has been used in English since the late 14th century, initially in a broader sense of being lacking or failing. Its use in financial and medical contexts developed later.
Memory tip
Think 'de' (lacking) + 'ficient' (enough) – when something is *deficient*, it isn't enough!