deficit
deficit Lexical Profile
deficit Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An excess of expenditure or liabilities over income or assets in a given period.
"The government implemented new tax policies to reduce the annual budget deficit."
The amount by which something, especially a sum of money or a resource, is too small or falls short of what is required.
"Sleeping well over the weekend cannot completely make up for a chronic sleep deficit."
An impairment or deficiency in a specific neurological, psychological, or physiological function.
"The patient underwent physical therapy to recover from the motor deficit caused by the stroke."
The margin by which a team or competitor trails an opponent in a game or contest.
"The home team rallied in the second half to overcome a fourteen-point deficit."
Word Nuance & Usage
In economics and public finance, a deficit refers to a shortfall during a single period (such as a fiscal year), whereas debt refers to the cumulative total of all past deficits minus surpluses.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 18th century from French déficit, which came from the Latin verb form dēficit ('it is wanting or lacking'), used at the beginning of inventory clauses to denote missing funds or goods.