deficient

adjective
de·​fi·​cient | \ di-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce deficient (audio) \

Definition of deficient

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : lacking in some necessary quality or element deficient in judgment bones deficient in calcium
2 : not up to a normal standard or complement (see complement entry 1 sense 1b(1)) : defective deficient strength … rusted and aging pipes … abetted by deficient maintenance and sabotage.— Adam Nossiter

deficient

noun

Definition of deficient (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person or thing that is deficient a mental deficient

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from deficient

Adjective

deficiently adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for deficient

Synonyms: Adjective

fragmental, fragmentary, half, halfway, incomplete, partial

Antonyms: Adjective

complete, entire, full, intact, integral, perfect, whole

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of deficient in a Sentence

Adjective

Several bridges in the city are structurally deficient. a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The little park is a small win for the North Park community, which is deficient in park space. San Diego Union-Tribune, "North Park Mini Park finally in the works for parking lot behind theater," 23 July 2019 More than 90% of China’s population is deficient in lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the milk sugar lactose in the gut, per a 1984 study. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, "How Oatly Plans to Quench China’s Thirst for Milk," 23 July 2019 Even if Alabama law permitted the prosecution of Jones in this context, according to the motion, the indictment is still deficient. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "Attorneys for Marshae Jones: Indictment is ‘unreasonable, irrational, and unfounded’," 1 July 2019 In his 70-page order, Judge [Kenneth] Quattlebaum found that Gissendanner's defense counsel were deficient in both the guilt phase and the penalty phase of the trial. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "Lawyers fear prosecutors are fishing for info as they house Death Row inmate with their client," 14 June 2019 The viaduct is considered functionally obsolete and structurally deficient. David Porter, Fox News, "NYC commuters are spared a nightmare as road project starts," 21 Aug. 2018 Promoted as a state-of-the art transportation hub to replace a former terminal that had been deemed seismically deficient, the center connects many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s transit systems in a structure that stretches four city blocks. Alejandro Lazo, WSJ, "San Francisco’s New Transit Center Closes After Cracked Steel Beam Found," 25 Sep. 2018 Supplements from the Supermarket Vitamin D: This vitamin is imperative to keeping your immune system strong, and most of us are vitamin D deficient. Aarti Sanan, Redbook, "Wedding Dress Challenge: Clean, Green, Juicing Machine," 20 Apr. 2012 The viaduct is considered functionally obsolete and structurally deficient. David Porter, Fox News, "NYC commuters are spared a nightmare as road project starts," 21 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But rising home prices are bailing out large numbers of the equity deficient: their number is down by more than 1.2 million in the last 12 months. Kenneth R. Harney, miamiherald, "Which U.S. neighborhood has homeowners with the most equity? Answer may surprise you," 22 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deficient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of deficient

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1906, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for deficient

Adjective

borrowed from Latin dēficient-, dēficiens, present participle of dēficere "to leave without enough, let down, be lacking, run short, fail," from dē- de- + facere "to make, bring about, perform, do" — more at fact

Noun

derivative of deficient entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for deficient

deficient

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of deficient

: not having enough of something that is important or necessary
: not good enough : not as good as others

deficient

adjective
de·​fi·​cient | \ di-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce deficient (audio) \

Kids Definition of deficient

: lacking something necessary for completeness or health Her diet is deficient in proteins.

deficient

adjective
de·​fi·​cient | \ di-ˈfish-ənt How to pronounce deficient (audio) \

Medical Definition of deficient

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : lacking in some necessary quality or element a deficient diet
2 : not up to a normal standard or complement deficient strength
3 : having, relating to, or characterized by a genetic deletion

deficient

noun

Medical Definition of deficient (Entry 2 of 2)