English vocabulary · C1
Deficient
/dɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/ · adj.
It means lacking something needed, not having enough of an important part.
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Example sentences
- His diet was deficient in vitamins.
- The old engine was deficient in power.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- de — down (from Latin)
- fic — make (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- LACKING — missing something needed (General & Simple)
- INSUFFICIENT — not enough in amount (Formal & Measured)
- INADEQUATE — not good enough (Quality-Focused)
Words with the same root
fic — make
- perfect — made completely right
- infect — make sick by spreading germs
- defect — a flaw made by accident
Lesson notes
Deficient. It means lacking something needed, not having enough of an important part.
Similar words are lacking, insufficient, and inadequate. Use deficient when a body or system does not have enough of something it needs.
His diet was deficient in vitamins. The old engine was deficient in power.
From Latin. De- means down. Fic- means make. Made down to too little — that is deficient.