shortfall
Americannoun
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the quantity or extent by which something falls short; deficiency; shortage.
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the act or fact of falling short.
noun
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failure to meet a goal or a requirement
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the amount of such a failure; deficiency
a shortfall of £30m
Etymology
Origin of shortfall
Explanation
If there's not enough of something, there's a shortfall. You expected to have plenty of Halloween candy, but a shortfall of Skittles has you running to the store to buy more. When an available quantity doesn't meet your needs, or there's a deficiency of something you want, you've got a shortfall. You might dump out your piggybank and discover a shortfall of cash, or start making a soufflé but find an egg shortfall when you open the fridge. This word comes from the idea of a supply that falls short of expectations.
Vocabulary lists containing shortfall
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.
However vacancies for controllers have been a problem for years, with the shortfall projected to grow each year for the next several years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
California’s coffers are sufficient to meet demand for refined products like jet fuel and gasoline in April, but a shortfall is likely to emerge over the following months, Walz said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
The department found 22 counties had a “severe” shortage of at least 50% fewer mental health professionals than demanded, while Los Angeles faced a 20% to 35% shortfall.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
When you start collecting Social Security at 64, you’ll add another $4,100 to the pot, which leaves you with a more modest shortfall of $1,800 a month.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
In five weeks, on November 29, the index of subprime mortgage bonds, called the ABX, would post its first interest-rate shortfall.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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.
