shortage

[ shawr-tij ]

noun

1. a deficiency in quantity:

   a shortage of cash.

   Synonyms: lack, scarcity, want

2. the amount of such deficiency.

shortage

/ ˈʃɔːtɪdʒ /

noun

1. a deficiency or lack in the amount needed, expected, or due; deficit

Other Words From

• pre·shortage noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shortage¹

First recorded in 1865–70; short + -age

Example Sentences

But there is no shortage of great American whiskey on the market.

From The Daily Beast

A senior Pentagon official agreed that there is a shortage of surveillance planes needed to track down ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

There is a shortage of food, there is little aid, and they are in a dire situation.

From The Daily Beast

In a show with no shortage of great performances, Kitsch stood out.

From The Daily Beast

His brother Sidronio immediately took over, and the Windy City reported no shortage of smack.

From The Daily Beast

Hence, shortage of ammunition and shortage of water, which last was the worse felt to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

I gave up my nephew to my country, and I—er—suffered from the shortage of potatoes to an extent that you probably didn't realize.

From Project Gutenberg

For example, a dreadful influenza epidemic occurred followed by a severe fuel shortage due to a railroad strike.

From Project Gutenberg

The production of South American rubber is limited by a shortage of men rather than a shortage of trees.

From Project Gutenberg

Anyway she has refused—and will, I fancy, never relent—to allow any extreme idea of food shortage to disturb her routine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dearth
• deficit
• failure
• lack
• poverty
• scarcity
• shortfall
• weakness