Deficient
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /dɪˈfɪʃənt/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Deficient is an adjective meaning Lacking something essential; often construed with in.
Meaning
Lacking something essential; often construed with in.
More Meanings
- Insufficient or inadequate in amount.
- (mathematics) Of a number n, Having the sum of divisors σ(n)<2n, or, equivalently, the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) s(n)<n.
- A person who is deficient.
Example Sentences
They were deficient in social skills.
Apothecia lecanoroid; multilocular; each cell containing a single theke; paraphyses deficient.
This was justified by the rationale that mental deficients, by definition, are not able to succeed in society.
Word Forms
- deficients
Synonyms for deficient
Depending on context, synonyms include absent, awanting, lacking, leer, wanting, light.
Antonyms for deficient
Common opposites include sufficient.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include insufficient, inadequate, poor, lacking, substandard, scarce.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.