deficit

American  

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

noun

deficits plural

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.

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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

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deficit Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superdeficit
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• deficits
  plural

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

See Examples For:

deficit deficits

But so far, the tariffs haven’t done much to advance two of the administration’s central goals for them: closing the trade deficit and reviving factory jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

James led the Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals and a championship in 2016 when Cleveland overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Warriors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Given the large U.S. deficit and the historic spending spree expected for the AI buildout, “there will be plenty of chances to buy at higher yields in longer-duration debt,” Payne said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

That makes it more expensive for the U.S. to manage its large debt load and deficit.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

After subsisting for three months on an exceedingly marginal diet, McCandless had run up a sizable caloric deficit.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Globally, macro forces, such as rising inflation and large budget deficits, are pushing rates higher.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

Thus, the relatively steeper rise in 30-year yields means investors are more wary of future deficits, inflation or random shocks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Most of Wales and Northern Ireland have also had rainfall deficits, although parts of western Scotland have been wetter than average.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

"For decades, the city has been living beyond its means and is now making up its budget deficits at the expense of tourism," he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

Milton, however, was aware of none of these physical deficits.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• loss
• shortfall