deficiency
gb/dɪfˈɪʃənsi/ us/dɪfˈɪʃənsi/
B2
English
~ 9100
hiány, tápanyaghiány, hiányosság
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
1
hiány
B1
Usage pattern:
a deficiency of [something] / a deficiency in [something]
The report highlighted a serious deficiency of trained staff in rural schools.
A jelentés rámutatott, hogy a vidéki iskolákban komoly hiány van képzett személyzetből.
There is a clear deficiency in affordable housing in many major cities.
Sok nagyvárosban egyértelmű hiány van megfizethető lakhatásból.
The company faced a cash deficiency at the end of the quarter.
A deficiency of clean water has created health risks in the region.
The audit revealed several deficiencies in the organization’s safety procedures.
Learner examples
There is a deficiency of doctors in this small town.
Ebben a kisvárosban hiány van orvosokból.
Many countries have a deficiency in clean drinking water.
Sok országban hiány van tiszta ivóvízből.
The school has a deficiency of basic books and computers.
We need to fix the deficiency in our budget.
The test showed a deficiency in his knowledge of history.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "deficiency" when they should use a verb like "lack". For example, they may say "I deficiency money" instead of "I lack money" or "I have a deficiency of money" (formal). Also, "deficiency" is a countable noun in most uses: say "a deficiency in the system" or "several deficiencies", not just "*there is deficiency" without an article or quantity word.
Meaning
a lack or shortage of something
Collocations
deficiency of funds
|deficiency in housing
|deficiency in resources
|serious deficiency
|chronic deficiency
|identify a deficiency
Synonyms
shortage (More common in everyday speech and often sounds less formal than "deficiency".)
|
lack (Very general and informal; does not carry the slightly technical or official tone that "deficiency" can have.)
Antonyms
abundance (Suggests more than enough of something, the opposite of having too little.)
|
sufficiency (Focuses on having enough of something, directly contrasting with not having enough.)
Themes
general
|business
|society
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
A situation where there is not as much of something as is needed.
A state in which there is not enough of something that is needed or expected.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
2
hiány
B1
Usage pattern:
a [vitamin/mineral] deficiency in [someone]
Long-term vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak bones and an increased risk of fractures.
A tartós D-vitamin-hiány gyenge csontokhoz és a törések fokozott kockázatához vezethet.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia worldwide.
A vashiány világszerte a vérszegénység egyik leggyakoribb oka.
The doctor ordered blood tests to check for any nutritional deficiencies.
Iodine deficiency is still a major public health issue in some regions.
Calcium deficiency during childhood may affect normal bone development.
Learner examples
The doctor said she has an iron deficiency.
Az orvos azt mondta, hogy vashiánya van.
Vitamin C deficiency can make you feel very tired.
A C-vitamin-hiány nagyon fáradttá tehet.
He takes tablets to prevent vitamin D deficiency in winter.
The test showed a serious vitamin B12 deficiency.
Good food can help you avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "*vitamins deficiency" instead of the correct "vitamin deficiency" or "deficiency of vitamins". They may also confuse "deficiency" with "disease" and say "*iron disease" when they mean "iron deficiency" or "iron deficiency anemia".
Meaning
medical lack of nutrient in body
Collocations
vitamin D deficiency
|iron deficiency
|nutritional deficiency
|iodine deficiency
|calcium deficiency
|deficiency disease
Synonyms
insufficiency (More technical and often used in medical writing, not just for nutrients but also for organs (e.g., "renal insufficiency").)
|
deprivation (Can describe going without necessary nutrients or things, but is broader and often focuses on living conditions rather than body chemistry.)
Antonyms
adequacy (In medical or nutritional contexts, refers to having enough of a nutrient.)
|
sufficiency (Indicates a level that meets the body’s needs, the opposite of a deficit.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|science
|body
Definition
A health problem that happens when the body does not have enough of an important vitamin, mineral, or other substance.
A medical condition in which the body does not have enough of a particular nutrient, vitamin, mineral, or other necessary substance.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
hiányosság
B2
Usage pattern:
a deficiency in [skills/system/performance]
The review found several deficiencies in the company’s training program.
Az áttekintés több hiányosságot talált a vállalat képzési programjában.
Her main deficiency as a manager is poor communication with her team.
Vezetőként a fő hiányossága a csapatával való gyenge kommunikáció.
Engineers are working to correct a serious design deficiency in the bridge.
The study pointed out deficiencies in the current legal framework.
Students’ writing showed a clear deficiency in basic grammar skills.
Learner examples
The teacher talked about deficiencies in the students’ writing.
A tanár beszélt a diákok írásának hiányosságairól.
There is a deficiency in his computer skills.
Hiányosság van a számítógépes készségeiben.
The plan has some serious deficiencies.
Her main deficiency is that she cannot work well in a team.
The report shows a deficiency in safety procedures.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "deficiency" with "difference" and say things like "*a deficiency between the two results" when they mean "a difference". Also, they sometimes use it without showing what is weak, for example "*She has deficiency"; it is clearer and more natural to say "She has a deficiency in math" or "She has a math deficiency" in formal contexts.
Meaning
weakness or fault in something
Collocations
deficiency in performance
|deficiency in skills
|design deficiency
|serious deficiency
|major deficiency
|identify a deficiency
Synonyms
shortcoming (Commonly used for faults in people or systems; slightly less formal in tone than "deficiency".)
|
weakness (Very general and informal; often used for personal abilities or character traits.)
Antonyms
strength (Refers to a strong or positive quality, the opposite of a weakness or deficiency.)
|
competence (Describes having the necessary ability or skill, opposite to having a deficiency in that skill.)
Themes
work
|education
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A problem or weak point in a person, plan, or thing that makes it less good or less effective.
A weakness, fault, or failing in a person, system, plan, or thing that prevents it from being complete or effective.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deficiency
IPA
GB/dɪfˈɪʃənsi/
US/dɪfˈɪʃənsi/
Syllables & stress
de - fi - ciency (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: deficiency
- Plural: deficiencies, deficiency
Word family
Forms
deficiencies
noun
Core family
deficient
adjective B2
Related words
deficit
noun B2
deficiently
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
sufficient
adjective B1
sufficiency
noun
Expressions
deficiency in
1/dɪfˈɪʃənsi ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
formal
a lack or weakness in something
Used to say that there is not enough of something, or that something is weak, in a particular area.
Examples
- The test results show a deficiency in basic math skills.
- There is a serious deficiency in the way the system protects user data.
deficiency of
1/dɪfˈɪʃənsi əv/
fixed phrase
formal
a shortage of something named
Used to say that there is not enough of a particular thing.
Examples
- A deficiency of clean water has led to many health problems in the area.
- The study points to a deficiency of reliable data on the subject.
iron deficiency
1/ˈaɪɚn dɪfˈɪʃənsi/
fixed phrase
not enough iron in the body
A condition where the body does not have enough iron, often causing anemia and tiredness.
Examples
- Iron deficiency is a common reason why people feel weak and out of breath.
- The doctor gave her supplements to treat her iron deficiency.
nutritional deficiency
1/nutɹˈɪʃənəl dɪfˈɪʃənsi/
fixed phrase
technical
lack of a needed nutrient
A health problem that happens when your body does not get enough of a certain vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient.
Examples
- Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide.
- Nutritional deficiencies are common in areas where people do not have access to fresh food.
- The doctor tested him for possible nutritional deficiencies.
- The doctor explained that her hair loss was caused by a nutritional deficiency.
vitamin deficiency
1/vˈaɪtəmən dɪfˈɪʃənsi/
fixed phrase
Not enough vitamins
A health problem that happens when your body does not get enough vitamins.
Examples
- Night blindness can result from a vitamin A deficiency.
- Vitamin deficiency can cause tiredness, weak hair, and other health problems.
- The test confirmed a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- In many countries, vitamin A deficiency is still a serious issue for young children.