deficit

American  

[def-uh-sit, dih-fis-it] / ˈdɛf ə sɪt, dɪˈfɪs ɪt /

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 British  

/ 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 Cultural  

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superdeficit
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

Last year, tariffs did reduce some imports, but because the AI boom sucked in foreign-made tech equipment, the current-account deficit narrowed only slightly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

They erased a 14-point second-half deficit to stun the Spurs in San Antonio in game one of the Finals.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

She decided that a 29-point deficit in the second half was simply too wide of a chasm to overcome, even for a Knicks team in the middle of a magical playoff run.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4, overcoming a 29-point deficit to take a 3-1 series lead.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

We hung in there most of the match, but had acquired a large deficit going into the seventh bout.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• loss
• shortfall