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shortfall

American  
[shawrt-fawl] / ˈʃɔrtˌfɔl /

noun

  1. the quantity or extent by which something falls short; deficiency; shortage.

  2. the act or fact of falling short.


shortfall British  
/ ˈʃɔːtˌfɔːl /

noun

  1. failure to meet a goal or a requirement

  2. the amount of such a failure; deficiency

    a shortfall of £30m

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of shortfall

1890–95; short + fall; from verb phrase fall short

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.

Europe has wide "shortfalls" in its military capabilities which leave it "ill-prepared" as the war in Ukraine grinds on, a new report said Tuesday.

From Barron's

The state faces a projected shortfall of 5,000 doctors by 2030, according to the Cicero Institute, a public policy organization.

From The Wall Street Journal

For Nolso, the requirement to master Danish in order to work in the healthcare system makes it harder for foreign doctors to come and help make up for the shortfall.

From Barron's

Most of the shortfall was tied to the record 43-day government shutdown last fall.

From MarketWatch

Aberdeenshire Council officials said without an increase in income, they were facing a shortfall of more than £17.5m in funding.

From BBC