deficit
Americannoun
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the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount.
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the amount by which expenditures or liabilities exceed income or assets.
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a lack or shortage; deficiency.
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a disadvantage, impairment, or handicap.
The team's major deficit is its poor pitching.
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a loss, as in the operation of a business.
noun
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the amount by which an actual sum is lower than that expected or required
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an excess of liabilities over assets
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an excess of expenditures over revenues during a certain period
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an excess of payments over receipts on the balance of payments
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Other Word Forms
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”; see deficient
Explanation
If you're running a deficit, you are losing. You might be losing money or losing a game. Either way, you better make up for it. When the government runs on a deficit, often the loss can be offset by a raise in taxes. If you have a deficit of iron in your body, you should consider eating more spinach. The word deficit comes from the Latin deficit meaning "it is wanting." A deficit is characterized by the wanting of something missing.
Vocabulary lists containing deficit
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2
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ACT Vocabulary List
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East Asia - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tedros said it was vital to address the trust deficit in Ebola-affected communities.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
But the city for years has faced a budget deficit, leading to spending cuts for the Police Department.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
Over and over again, New York called on Brunson to get them another bucket to trim the seemingly insurmountable deficit.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Channel 4's nadir was back in 2023 when its accounts showed a £52m deficit.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
Through knowledge, political will, and perhaps some luck, we seem to have tamed inflation and the budget deficit.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
