deficit

American  

[def-uh-sit, dih-fis-it] / ˈdɛf ə sɪt, dɪˈfɪs ɪt /

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.

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deficit British  

/ 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

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deficit Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• superdeficit noun

Etymology

Origin of deficit

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

Example Sentences

Scotland were unable to narrow the deficit in the second quarter, leaving head coach Gregor Townsend with an enormous half-time team talk.

From BBC

Russia has posted a budget deficit in every year since it ordered troops into Ukraine and expects to do so again in 2026.

From Barron's

That number is likely to approach 12 million barrels per day by the end of next week, “making the deficit highly visible across physical markets.”

From MarketWatch

While growth-inflation considerations justify more fiscal and monetary easing, concerns about the fiscal deficit exceeding the legal ceiling could keep policymakers wary about making any moves until the headwinds ease.

From The Wall Street Journal

The global market is currently losing roughly 12.5 million barrels a day of supply, a deficit that could narrow to around 9 million barrels a day as Saudi Arabia boosts shipments via Yanbu.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• loss
• shortfall