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Definition of understaff

understaff

/ˌʌndərˈstæf/
un · der · staff
Adjective:understaffed
•
Past Simple:understaffed
•
Past Participle:understaffed
•
Present Participle:understaffing
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understaff Lexical Profile

understaff Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To supply an organization, department, or facility with an insufficient number of employees or workers to operate effectively.

Example

"Budget cuts forced the hospital administration to understaff the emergency ward during weekend shifts."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for understaff
Antonyms
View all antonyms for understaff

Word Nuance & Usage

Most commonly encountered in the passive voice or as the participial adjective 'understaffed'.

• Rhymes for understaff

• Nearby Words

underskirt
underslung
underspend
understaff
understaffed
understaffing
understand

Cite this Entry

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