Deficient definition

dĭ-fĭshənt
A deficient person or thing.
noun
12
2
Lacking an essential quality or element.

Deficient in common sense.

adjective
9
3
Inadequate in amount, quality, or degree; not sufficient.
adjective
3
2
Inadequate in amount or degree; insufficient.

A deficient education.

adjective
2
2
Lacking in some essential; incomplete; defective.
adjective
2
2
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The definition of deficient is a person of thing that is incomplete or lacking something needed.

An example of deficient is a person who does not have enought iron; the person is iron deficient.

adjective
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0
Lacking something essential; often construed with in.
adjective
0
0
adjective
0
0

Origin of deficient

  • Latin dēficiēns dēficient- present participle of dēficere to fail, be wanting defect

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin deficiens, present participle of deficere (“to lack, fail, be wanting”); see defect.

    From Wiktionary

Deficient Sentence Examples

  • They are both deficient in solidity and in permanent interest.

  • Fortunately Frederick had never been deficient in courage.

  • Although deficient in technical training, he handled with great skill the difficult problems which were presented by the Civil War.

  • Boots were worn out, greatcoats deficient, transport almost unattainable and, according to modern ideas, the army would have been considered incapable of action.

  • For a people so accustomed to revolutionary outbreaks, the Venezuelans are singularly deficient in military organization.

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Related articles

Words near deficient in the Dictionary