shortfall \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology:short (I) + fall (after the phrase fall short) : the act or an instance of falling short or the amount by which something falls short : deficit, shortage < standing useless because of a shortfall in traversing mechanisms — Time > < the shortfall will amount to $4 to $5 billion — Newsweek >