insufficient
Americanadjective
-
not sufficient; lacking in what is necessary or required.
an insufficient answer.
- Synonyms:
- deficient, scanty, inadequate
-
deficient in force, quality, or amount; inadequate.
insufficient protection.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of insufficient
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin insufficient-, stem of insufficiēns; equivalent to in- 3 + sufficient
Explanation
If something is insufficient, it isn't enough. A high school diploma is very helpful for getting a job, but by itself, it's probably insufficient to land you a job as an astronaut. Something adequate is sufficient, and something inadequate is insufficient (in- meaning "not"). If you have $100 in the bank and you try to use a debit card for a $102 purchase, even though you’re close to having enough, your funds are insufficient to cover the sale. Anything that falls short of a required amount or expected measure is insufficient, whether it's the amount of air in a bike tire or the votes needed to win an election.
Vocabulary lists containing insufficient
Figurative Language in King's "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
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Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
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Bridge to Terabithia
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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.
That is the highest since mid-2022, when prices soared amid the supply-chain disruptions resulting from the Covid pandemic that led to insufficient inventory, labor shortages and bottlenecks at ports and railroads.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
The lawsuit alleges the project was plagued with sloppy workmanship and insufficient oversight.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Rural Americans who face transportation issues, as well as insufficient job availability, also are at risk.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
A report from administrators AlixPartners said there were "insufficient funds" for payouts to those owed money by the brewer's retail arm.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
The National Cancer Institute’s $30,000 grant had turned out to be insufficient to cover new demands for shielding and other safety provisions.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
