What does deficient mean?

Definitions for deficient
dɪˈfɪʃ əntde·fi·cient

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word deficient.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. deficient, lacking(p), wanting(p)adjective

    inadequate in amount or degree

    "a deficient education"; "deficient in common sense"; "lacking in stamina"; "tested and found wanting"

  2. insufficient, deficientadjective

    of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement

    "insufficient funds"

  3. deficient, inferior, substandardadjective

    falling short of some prescribed norm

    "substandard housing"

Wiktionary

  1. deficientadjective

    Lacking something essential; often construed with in.

  2. deficientadjective

    Insufficient or inadequate in amount.

  3. Etymology: From deficiens, present participle of deficere; see defect.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Deficientadjective

    Failing; wanting; defective; imperfect.

    Etymology: deficiens, from deficio, Latin.

    O woman! best are all things as the will
    Of God ordain’d them: his creating hand
    Nothing imperfect or deficient left. John Milton, Paradise Lost.

    Figures are either simple or mixed: the simple be either circular or angular; and of circular, either complete, as circles, or deficient, as ovals. Henry Wotton, Architect.

    Neither Virgil nor were deficient in any of the former beauties. John Dryden, Fab. Pref.

    Several views, postures, stands, turns, limitations and exceptions, and several other thoughts of the mind, for which we have either none, or very deficient names, are diligently to be studied. John Locke.

ChatGPT

  1. deficient

    Deficient refers to a lack, shortage, or insufficiency of something required or desirable. This could be related to a lack in quantity, quality, amount, or degree. It can apply to various areas such as nutrition, knowledge, skills, resources, or any other aspect where there's a need or expectation.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Deficientadjective

    wanting, to make up completeness; wanting, as regards a requirement; not sufficient; inadequate; defective; imperfect; incomplete; lacking; as, deficient parts; deficient estate; deficient strength; deficient in judgment

  2. Etymology: [L. deficiens, -entis, p. pr. of deficere to be wanting. See Defect.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Deficient

    de-fish′ent, adj. wanting.—n. Defic′iency (sometimes Defic′ience), defect.—adv. Defic′iently.—ns. Defic′ientness; Def′icit, deficiency, esp. of revenue, as compared with expenditure. [L., deficĕre.]

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of deficient in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of deficient in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of deficient in a Sentence

  1. David Bahlman:

    It's bittersweet, it's discouraging because we told them all the reasons why they shouldn't renovate Soldier Field 20 years ago. They didn't listen to us. And now, they're not happy with the things we told them were deficient in the Soldier Field plan.

  2. Andrew Marr:

    It’s highly individualized; no two people are the same, whatever you’re found to be deficient or insufficient in, that’s what we’re going to replace.

  3. Samuel Taylor Coleridge:

    No mind is thoroughly well organized that is deficient in a sense of humor.

  4. Judge Katzmann:

    The question is whether this conduct considered as a whole was misleading or likely to mislead. I believe it was, the post-market evaluation of all the Ethicon devices was deficient.

  5. Pina LoGiudice:

    The first thing is definitely magnesium. That will actually help with restless leg syndrome or if you have any low back cramping, calcium is quite wonderful because ... your body will cause more aches and pains because you're trying to build your baby, and so you yourself become deficient. Acupuncture is phenomenal and safe for those low back pains or sciatica or that neck stiffness.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

deficient#10000#17142#100000

Translations for deficient

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"deficient." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/deficient>.

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