shortfall

[shawrt-fawl]

noun

1. the quantity or extent by which something falls short; deficiency; shortage.

2. the act or fact of falling short.

shortfall

/ ˈʃɔːtˌfɔːl /

noun

1. failure to meet a goal or a requirement

2. the amount of such a failure; deficiency

   a shortfall of £30m

Word History and Origins

Origin of shortfall¹

1890–95; short + fall; from verb phrase fall short

Example Sentences

As in previous winters, the authorities have introduced rolling blackouts in every region of the country, including Kyiv, to deal with shortfalls in power.

Read more on Barron's

Online tools can help families break down award letters and spot where shortfalls may exist.

Read more on MarketWatch

PPI said the suggested reforms, taken together, would close half of Social Security’s shortfall over the next 30 years while also reducing old-age poverty.

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During Thursday’s court hearing in a Boston courtroom, administration officials admitted there were billions of dollars that could be used to head off the shortfall.

Read more on Salon

Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, recently sent the council a report detailing where her group found shortfalls.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deficiency 
• flaw 
• lack 
• loss 
• shortage 
• shortcoming