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deficient
[ dih-fish-uhnt ]
/ dɪˈfɪʃ ənt /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
lacking some element or characteristic; defective: deficient in taste.
insufficient; inadequate: deficient knowledge.
noun
a person who is deficient, especially one who is mentally defective.
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Origin of deficient
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use deficient in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for deficient
deficient
/ (dɪˈfɪʃənt) /
adjective
lacking some essential; incomplete; defective
inadequate in quantity or supply; insufficient
Derived forms of deficient
deficiently, adverbWord Origin for deficient
C16: from Latin dēficiēns lacking, from dēficere to fall short; see defect
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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