deficit

noun

def·​i·​cit ˈde-fə-sət 

 British also  di-ˈfi-sət,

 or  ˈdē-fə-sət

1

a(1)

: deficiency in amount or quality

a deficit in rainfall

(2)

: a lack or impairment in an ability or functional capacity

cognitive deficits

a hearing deficit

b

: disadvantage

scored two runs to overcome a 2–1 deficit

2

a

: an excess of expenditure over revenue

facing a deficit of $3 billion

raise taxes to help reduce the budget deficit

b

: a loss (see loss sense 4b) in business operations

the year's operating deficit

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of deficit in a Sentence

The government is facing a deficit of $3 billion.

We will reduce the federal budget deficit.

The team overcame a four-point deficit to win the game.

She has a slight hearing deficit in her left ear.

Recent Examples on the Web

His clutch effort erased an eight-point deficit in the final seven minutes, fending off an all-time display from reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, who dominated with 42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Dec. 2024

Garland barely made contact with Askarov at the front of the net on Pettersson’s goal, but the Sharks — perhaps sensing that a two-goal deficit would be challenging to come back from in the third period — made a Hail Mary goaltender interference challenge. —Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024

The Lakers made a comeback attempt when Rui Hachimura assisted Christie on a 3-pointer to cut their deficit to eight and James converted a three-point play on a fadeaway jumper, knocking down the free throw to trim the margin to five. —Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 24 Dec. 2024

The last time Orlando overcame a deficit of 15 or more in consecutive games was 2014. —Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French déficit, going back to Middle French, "item lacking in an inventory," borrowed from Latin dēficit "it is lacking," 3rd person singular present indicative of dēficere "to be lacking, run short, fail" — more at deficient

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing deficit

• attention deficit disorder
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• deficit spending
• trade deficit

Kids Definition

deficit

noun

def·​i·​cit ˈdef-ə-sət 

: a deficiency in amount

especially : an excess of expenses over income

Medical Definition

deficit

noun

de·​fi·​cit

ˈdef-(ə-)sət; British also di-ˈfis-ət, ˈdē-fə-sət

: a deficiency of a substance

a potassium deficit

also : a lack or impairment of a functional capacity

cognitive deficits