shortfall

[ shawrt-fawl ]

noun

1. the quantity or extent by which something falls short; deficiency; shortage.
2. the act or fact of falling short.

shortfall

/ ˈʃɔːtˌfɔːl /

noun

1. failure to meet a goal or a requirement
2. the amount of such a failure; deficiency

   a shortfall of £30m

Word History and Origins

Origin of shortfall¹

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

Example Sentences

The change is significant for the central bank, because it means that Fed officials will accept higher inflation to make up for its previous shortfalls below 2%.

From Fortune

These are in advanced stages of testing, but there is no guarantee they will work, and there could be supply shortfalls.

From MIT Technology Review

Those include layoffs from local and state governments, which are facing huge budget shortfalls.

From Fortune

In its new statement on longer-run goals, the Fed said its decisions would be informed by its assessment of “shortfalls of employment from its maximum level.”

From Fortune

Now, legislators are scrambling to close huge budget shortfalls in some of America’s western states.

From Quartz

We learn early on, for instance, that the Philadelphia school system faces a $300 million budget shortfall.

From The Daily Beast

Politico reported on New Jersey's $807 million revenue shortfall and over $1 billion budget gap.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, to end mass unemployment and chronic joblessness, we need to focus on the underlying problem: Our demand shortfall.

From The Daily Beast

“Service is where we are experiencing the greatest shortfall and where will be focusing the majority of our efforts,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

It was thanks to Woody that the 2008 Republican National Convention's $10 million shortfall was met.

From The Daily Beast

And every year afterward will bring a new shortfall, bigger than the year before.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deficiency
• flaw
• lack
• loss
• shortage
• shortcoming