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
- insufficiently adverb
Etymology
Origin of insufficient
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin insufficient-, stem of insufficiēns; equivalent to in- 3 + sufficient
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.
Adams was once charged with IRA membership in 1978, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
From BBC
“This surplus of dollars resulted in the United States having insufficient gold to cover the volume of dollars in worldwide circulation,” the AGs write.
"Contradictions remain prominent, with insufficient consumer spending and weak growth in private investment," Finance Minister Lan Fo'an told Friday's news conference.
From Barron's
The mall had insufficient exterior lighting, the city said, and graffiti resulting from deferred or neglected maintenance.
From Los Angeles Times
Many are concerned that there is insufficient understanding of how to ensure it cannot be misused by bad actors or nudged to go rogue.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
