deficiently
gb/dɪfˈɪʃəntli/ us/dɪfˈɪʃəntli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in an inadequate way
not enough; not as well as it should be
Usage pattern:
deficiently + [adjective/past participle] (e.g., deficiently funded, deficiently prepared)
Common mistake:
Often confused with the adjective deficient (e.g., 'a deficient plan'); deficiently is the adverb form used to describe how something is done or provided.
Synonyms
inadequately (The most direct, common equivalent in formal writing.)
|
insufficiently (Emphasizes that the amount or level is not enough.)
|
poorly (More general; can sound less formal.)
Antonyms
adequately (Meets the needed standard or level.)
|
sufficiently (Emphasizes having enough quantity or degree.)
|
properly (Emphasizes correctness and appropriateness.)
Collocations
deficiently funded
|deficiently staffed
|deficiently equipped
|deficiently documented
|deficiently regulated
|deficiently designed
|deficiently administered
|deficiently supported
|deficiently trained
|deficiently maintained
Themes
education
|work
|business
|evaluation
Examples
- The project was deficiently funded from the start, so key features were cut.
- Several safety issues were traced to deficiently maintained equipment.
- The report was deficiently documented, making its conclusions hard to verify.
Learner examples
- The school is deficiently staffed this year.
- The plan was deficiently prepared.
adverb
technical
C2
state
2
with too little nutrition
not getting enough of an important nutrient
Usage pattern:
deficiently + nourished / fed / supplied
Common mistake:
In everyday English, people usually say 'malnourished' or 'not getting enough [nutrient]' instead of deficiently.
Synonyms
malnourishedly (Rare; in practice, malnourished is far more common than the adverb form.)
|
insufficiently (More general; can refer to nutrients or other requirements.)
Antonyms
adequately (Having enough nutrients or supply for normal function.)
|
well (In this context, means well nourished or properly fed.)
Collocations
deficiently nourished
|deficiently fed
|deficiently supplied
|deficiently supplemented
Themes
health
|nutrition
|science
Examples
- The study compared normally fed animals with deficiently nourished ones.
- Deficiently fed children may show delayed growth and low energy.
Learner examples
- Some children are deficiently nourished.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deficiently
IPA
GB/dɪfˈɪʃəntli/
US/dɪfˈɪʃəntli/
Syllables & stress
de - fi - ciently (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: deficiently
- Plural: deficientlies
Word family
Forms
deficientlies
noun
Core family
deficient
adjective B2
deficiency
noun B2
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.