deficient

USAGE SUMMARY

"deficient" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to mean not having enough of the usual or necessary amount of something, or not meeting a desirable or usual standard of quality. Example sentence: The city's public schools are deficient in educational resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

If the question was posed in more general terms, such as running experiments with deficient methods, failing to report deficiencies or misrepresenting data, the straight average suggested that 46% of researchers had seen others get up to such shenanigans.

The Economist

Problem: More than 3 million children in Africa suffer from blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency; in Uganda it is estimated that 28% of children are deficient.

The Guardian

From that, we can extrapolate that many adolescent girls are also iron deficient to the point of being anaemic; more so than adolescent boys, because of monthly blood loss due to menstruation.

The Guardian

Frustration with Conservative policy over Gaza was the trigger, but dismay at what she sees as a morally deficient Middle East policy would not have driven her out of government if she had felt valued from within.

The Guardian - Opinion

Evenings out turn into an anguished dilemma, particularly for those of us deficient in the jam-making department.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea that hyper-low interest rates are merely symptoms of deficient demand or financial repression is dangerously simplistic.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Next year, for the first time, more than half the population is likely to be living in urban areas, implying a further boost to consumption, the country's main source of economic growth.Second, fiscal restraint in recent years has left the government with the resources to spend more on Indonesia's deficient infrastructure and public services.

The Economist

Half of those over 75 in hospital are reckoned to be nutrient-deficient, as are many obese people.Nutrient deficiency is not easy to cure.

The Economist

Eurovision is the manifestation of that childhood dream – a world of pure, uninhibited, yet talent-deficient self expression; too much eyeliner and vicious backcombing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Women's Wear Daily, December 4thUnsolicited advice "Stop acting like a vitamin-deficient Adlai Stevenson.

The Economist

Both hungry and mineral-deficient people tend to be weaker, more prone to illness and less intelligent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deficient", specify what the subject is lacking to provide clarity and context. For example, instead of saying "the report was deficient", specify "the report was deficient in data analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "deficient" without specifying what is lacking. Saying something is "deficient" without context can be vague and unhelpful. Instead, be precise about the deficiency to ensure clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "deficient" primarily functions to describe something that is lacking an essential quality or quantity. Ludwig shows that this word is often used to point out shortcomings or inadequacies in various contexts, such as infrastructure, skills, or nutrients.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "deficient" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe something lacking essential qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use spans across various contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains. To ensure clarity, specify what the subject lacks when using "deficient". Alternatives like "lacking", "insufficient", and "inadequate" can be used depending on the specific nuance needed. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and always provide context to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking

This term directly indicates the absence of something needed.

insufficient

Indicates not enough of something is available or present.

inadequate

Emphasizes that something is not good enough for a specific purpose or need.

scarce

Highlights the limited availability of something.

wanting

Implies a lack or absence, often in a specific quality or aspect.

faulty

Focuses on the presence of flaws or defects.

imperfect

Stresses the lack of perfection or completeness.

substandard

Indicates something is below the expected or required level of quality.

flawed

Similar to "faulty", but can also refer to character or argument.

compromised

Suggests that something has been weakened or impaired.

FAQs

How can I use "deficient" in a sentence?

You can use "deficient" to describe something that is lacking an essential quality or element. For example, "The soil was "deficient in nutrients", resulting in poor crop growth."

What are some synonyms for "deficient"?

Synonyms for "deficient" include "lacking", "insufficient", "inadequate", and "scarce". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "deficient in" or "deficient with"?

The correct usage is "deficient in". For example, "The diet was "deficient in vitamins"" is correct, while "deficient with" is not.

What's the difference between "deficient" and "defective"?

"Deficient" means lacking something essential, while "defective" means having a flaw or imperfection. A product might be "defective" due to a manufacturing error, but a diet might be "deficient" if it lacks essential nutrients.