View synonyms for deficit

deficit

[ def-uh-sit; British also dih-fis-it ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount.
the amount by which expenditures or liabilities exceed income or assets.
a lack or shortage; deficiency.
a disadvantage, impairment, or handicap:
The team's major deficit is its poor pitching.
a loss, as in the operation of a business.

deficit

/ ˈdɛfɪsɪt; dɪˈfɪsɪt /

noun

the amount by which an actual sum is lower than that expected or required
1. an excess of liabilities over assets
2. an excess of expenditures over revenues during a certain period
3. an excess of payments over receipts on the balance of payments

deficit

A shortage, especially the amount by which a sum of money falls short of what is required; a debt .

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Other Words From

super·defi·cit noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of deficit¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from Latin dēficit “(it) lacks,” 3rd-person singular present of dēficere “to fail, run short, lack, weaken”; deficient

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Word History and Origins

Origin of deficit¹

C18: from Latin, literally: there is lacking, from dēficere to be lacking

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