insufficiency

American  

[in-suh-fish-uhn-see] / ˌɪn səˈfɪʃ ən si /

Also insufficience

noun

plural

insufficiencies

1. deficiency in amount, force, power, competence, or fitness; inadequacy.

   insufficiency of supplies.

2. an instance of this.

3. inability of an organ or other part of the body to function normally.

   cardiac insufficiency.

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insufficiency British  

/ ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsɪ /

noun

1. Also called: insufficience.  the state of being insufficient

2. pathol failure in the functioning of an organ, tissue, etc

   cardiac insufficiency

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Other Word Forms

• self-insufficiency
  noun

Etymology

Origin of insufficiency

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word insufficientia. See insufficient, -ency

Example Sentences

And here, Orsolya’s sincere if haphazard search for understanding, visible in every fiber of Tompa’s affecting central performance, cleverly lets Jude expose the insufficiency in quick fixes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

"Vitamin D insufficiency is something that has been recognized as a potential health problem on a fairly large scale in the U.S.,"

From Science Daily • Dec. 30, 2025

Concerns arose again over the summer when Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, after photos appeared of the president with swollen legs and ankles.

From Salon • Oct. 27, 2025

In July, the White House said Trump was diagnosed with a chronic but benign vein condition -- chronic venous insufficiency -- following speculation about his bruised hand and swollen legs.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

I'd filed a lengthy brief that documented the insufficiency of the evidence and raised every legal deficiency in the trial that I could identify.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• deficiency
• inadequacy
• paucity