deficit

[def-uh-sit, dih-fis-it]

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.

deficit

/ 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

deficit

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

Other Word Forms

• superdeficit noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deficit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deficit¹

C18: from Latin, literally: there is lacking, from dēficere to be lacking

Example Sentences

Despite the government shutdown, the Treasury recorded a net deficit of $284 billion for October.

Read more on Barron's

Although not ideal for the deficit, those factors will support consumer spending.

Read more on Barron's

The country's budget deficit stood at 4.5% of GDP at the end of last year with debt at 104.7% of GDP.

Read more on BBC

On average, deficits will amount to 6.1% of GDP over the next decade, the nonpartisan group projected.

Read more on MarketWatch

The Cowboys just came back from a 21-0 deficit to stun the Eagles, and now the two teams will meet in a Thanksgiving game that will have enormous playoff implications—for both of them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• loss 
• shortfall