deficit

noun

USDEF-uh-sit/ˈdɛfəsɪt/UKDEF-i-sit/ˈdɛfɪsɪt/

2 meanings of deficit

1
nouncountable
The amount by which money spent is more than money taken in, especially by a government.
Like spending more from your wallet than you put into it, so you end up short.
The government ran a large deficit last year.
The city's deficit grew because it spent more than it collected in taxes.
Similarshortfall
Oppositesurplus
Note
2
nouncountable
A shortage of something, or the amount by which something falls short of what is needed.
Like having less money than you need to buy something.
The team played the second half with a two-goal deficit.
There was a clear deficit of trust between the two groups.
Similardeficiency, shortfall, shortage, lack, gap
Oppositesurplus, excess
Note

Practice

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Origin

From French déficit, which came from Latin dēficit.