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Definition of insufficiency

insufficiency

/ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/
in · suf · fi · cien · cy
Adverb:insufficiently
•
Plural:insufficiencies
•
Adjective:insufficient
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insufficiency Lexical Profile

insufficiency Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The condition or fact of being inadequate, lacking, or not enough in amount, degree, or quality.

Example

"The audit revealed an insufficiency of funds to complete the infrastructure project on schedule."

2

The inability of a bodily organ or tissue to perform its normal physiological function adequately, especially the failure of a heart valve to close completely.

Example

"The cardiologist diagnosed the patient with mild aortic insufficiency after reviewing the echocardiogram."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for insufficiency

• Nearby Words

insubstantial
insufferable
insufferably
insufficiency
insufficient
insufficiently
insular

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin insufficientia, from Latin insufficiens, composed of the negative prefix in- ('not') and sufficiens ('adequate, meeting the need'), the present participle of sufficere ('to put under, supply, be enough').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Insufficiency. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/insufficiency
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