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Definition of deficient adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

deficient

adjective
 
/dɪˈfɪʃnt/
 
/dɪˈfɪʃnt/
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  1. deficient (in something) not having enough of something, especially something that is essential
    • a diet that is deficient in vitamin A
    • Their food is deficient in iron.
    • Your diet is deficient in iron.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • prove
    • become
    • …
    adverb
    • gravely
    • sadly
    • seriously
    • …
    preposition
    • in
    See full entry
  2. not good enough
    • The report confirmed that the agency's response was woefully deficient.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • prove
    • become
    • …
    adverb
    • gravely
    • sadly
    • seriously
    • …
    preposition
    • in
    See full entry
    3. Word Originlate 16th cent. (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 ‘desert or fail’, from de- (expressing reversal) + facere ‘do’.
See deficient in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee deficient in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: deficient

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