deficient
/dɪˈfɪʃ(ə)nt
/adjective
1Not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient: this diet is deficient in vitamin B...
- The rapidly growing yearling is further jeopardized when twice daily feedings are already marginal or deficient in protein quality.
- The summer growing season of kenaf corresponds with low quality forages deficient in protein in the Southeast.
- I told myself that my attitude, knowledge, and skill cost a patient's life and I was deficient in all those qualities that a doctor should have.
1.1Insufficient or inadequate: the documentary evidence is deficient...
- The report accuses prosecutors of conducting deficient investigations or presenting inadequate evidence at the trials.
- She blames deficient preparation and insufficient commitment on the part of the school, but she also notes impediments in the exams themselves.
- Similarly, she has not observed or complained about any deficient workmanship in the insulation and drywall and she believes that none exists with respect to her residence.
Synonyms
lacking, wanting, defective, inadequate, insufficient, limited, poor, scant;
short of/on, low on, with an insufficiency of, with too little/few …
informal strapped for, pushed for
defective, faulty, flawed, inadequate, imperfect, impaired, shoddy, scrappy, sketchy, weak, inferior, unsound, substandard, second-rate, poor, shabby, incomplete, leaving much to be desired
informal duff
2 (also mentally deficient) dated or offensive Having mental disabilities.
Derivatives
deficiently
- In this case supply did take place but it took place late or deficiently.
- Virtue, then, is a reliable disposition whereby one reacts in relevant situations with the appropriate feeling - neither excessive nor deficient - and acts in the appropriate way - neither excessively nor deficiently.
- Likewise Liev Schreiber (Jakob the Liar) played a deficiently intellectual snob to perfection.
Origin
Late 16th century (originally in the theological phrase deficient cause, denoting a failure or deficiency that has a particular consequence): from Latin deficient- 'failing', from the verb deficere (see defect1).