shortage — a state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʃɔːrtɪdʒ/
Example Sentences
- The pizza shortage at the party caused a minor riot among teenagers.
- Due to the chocolate shortage, my diet plan accidentally succeeded.
- The hospital is experiencing a shortage of nurses.
shortage
NOUN[/ˈʃɔːrtɪdʒ/]
a state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts
A line of people with empty buckets faces a desperate shortage of fresh water in a barren land.
The hospital struggled with a shortage of nurses during the emergency.
"A shortage stops the flow of courage — when supply runs short, the world needs storage."
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English 'short' (not long, insufficient) combined with the suffix '-age' (state or condition of). The word emerged in the 14th century to denote a deficiency or lack of something.
Breakdown
short (insufficient, lacking) + -age (condition, state of) = shortage (a state of insufficient supply)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The pizza shortage at the party caused a minor riot among teenagers.”
“Due to the chocolate shortage, my diet plan accidentally succeeded.”
“The hospital is experiencing a shortage of nurses.”
“Energy shortages may lead to power outages this winter.”
📚Related Words
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