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deficient — lacking in some necessary quality or element

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: lacking in some necessary quality or element

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈfɪʃənt/

Example Sentences

  • My cooking skills are deficient - I once burned water!
  • The report was deficient in important details.
  • His sleep schedule is deficient - he thinks 3 AM is bedtime for children.

deficient

ADJECTIVE

[/dɪˈfɪʃənt/]

lacking in some necessary quality or element

She became vitamin D deficient, and her bones gradually weakened.
💡 Concept

She became vitamin D deficient, and her bones gradually weakened.

The runner became iron deficient and felt exhausted during training. (➖ Lack + ⚠️ Need → Deficient)
🧠 Mnemonic

The runner became iron deficient and felt exhausted during training. (➖ Lack + ⚠️ Need → Deficient)

The once-deficient athlete became efficient and eventually proficient through proper nutrition.
🎵 Rhyme

The once-deficient athlete became efficient and eventually proficient through proper nutrition.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈfɪʃənt/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈfɪʃənt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootfic
Suffix--ent

Origin

From Latin 'deficiens', present participle of 'deficere', meaning 'to fail or fall short'. The prefix 'de-' means 'down' or 'away', and 'facere' means 'to do' or 'to make'.

Breakdown

de- (down, away) + -fic- (do, make, from facere) + -ent (adjective suffix) = deficient

🎵Rhyme

efficient
sufficient
proficient

🔗Collocations

vitamin deficient
nutritionally deficient
deficient in iron
mentally deficient
severely deficient
deficient immune system

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My cooking skills are deficient - I once burned water!”

“The report was deficient in important details.”

😄 Fun example

“His sleep schedule is deficient - he thinks 3 AM is bedtime for children.”

“The soil in this area is deficient in nutrients.”

📚Related Words

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