adjective
deficient
dih-FISH-unt/dɪˈfɪʃnt/
Lacking enough of something necessary or expected.
The tank is deficient in water, leaving its outlet dry.
Etymology
The pieces combine in a Latin verb meaning “fail,” whose participle describes something lacking or incomplete. The adjective applies that idea to having less than the full or adequate supply needed.
In context
you've got potassium deficient leaves. So you can see this yellowing start to creep in from the outside of the leaf, towards the interior.
More examples
- Her diet is deficient in several essential vitamins.
- The report is deficient in evidence supporting its conclusions.
- Inspectors found the factory's safety measures deficient.
Forms
deficient · more deficient · most deficient
deficiency noun — A shortage of something needed or expected.
Similar words
- inadequate
- Too limited in amount or quality for a purpose.
- insufficient
- Not enough in quantity to meet a particular need.