C1noun3K

Deficit

UK /["/ˈdefɪsɪt/"]/US /["/ˈdefɪsɪt/"]/

Definition

the amount by which money spent or owed is greater than money earned in a particular period of time

In simple words: A lack of something, especially money.

Examples

  • The government is trying to reduce the budget deficit by cutting expenditures.
  • A calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than you burn.
  • The company faced a trade deficit because it imported more than it exported.
  • A deficit in attention during the lecture made it hard for her to follow the material.
  • The blood test indicated a deficit of vitamin D, so supplementation was recommended.

Usage notes

Often used in contexts related to finance or budgets. Not suitable for casual conversation; stick to formal discussions or written contexts.

Grammar pattern

deficit + of + something

Memory hint

Think of 'debt' when you hear 'deficit' — both are related to money you don't have.

Collocations

  • enormous
  • huge
  • large
  • face
  • have
  • run
  • run at something
  • grow
  • increase
  • in deficit
  • deficit with
  • enormous
  • huge
  • large
  • face
  • have
  • run
  • run at something
  • grow
  • increase
  • in deficit
  • deficit with

Synonyms

  • shortfall
  • lack
  • insufficiency
  • loss
  • deficiency

Antonyms

  • surplus
  • excess

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'deficit' with 'deficient' — they have different meanings.
  • Using 'deficit' without a specific context, like 'deficit in' instead of 'deficit of'.
  • Mispronouncing it, forgetting the 'c' sound.