shortage
gb/ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/ us/ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 4000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Not enough of something
When there is less of something than people need or want.
Usage pattern:
a shortage of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shortage' with 'shortness'. 'Shortness' refers to small height or length, not insufficient supply.
Synonyms
deficiency (Slightly more formal and often used in technical or medical contexts.)
|
lack (More general, can refer to absence or insufficiency in any context.)
Antonyms
surplus (Refers to having more than is needed, opposite of shortage.)
|
abundance (Implies a large quantity, more than enough.)
Collocations
serious shortage
|water shortage
|food shortage
|housing shortage
|labor shortage
Themes
economics
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The country is facing a severe food shortage after the drought.
- There's a shortage of skilled workers in the technology sector.
- During the war, there was a constant shortage of basic supplies.
- The hospital reported a shortage of blood donations.
- A sudden shortage of fuel caused prices to rise sharply.
Learner examples
- There is a shortage of water in the city.
- We have a shortage of teachers at the school.
- The shop has a shortage of milk today.
- There is a shortage of chairs in the room.
- The farm has a shortage of workers.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shortage
IPA
GB/ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/
US/ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
short - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (short)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shortage
- Plural: shortage, shortages
Word family
Expressions
food shortage
1/fˈud ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Not enough food available
When there is not enough food for people to eat.
Examples
- The flood caused a serious food shortage in the area.
- Food shortages are affecting many rural communities.
housing shortage
1/hˈaʊzɪŋ ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Not enough homes available
When there are not enough houses or apartments for people to live in.
Examples
- The city is working to solve its housing shortage.
- High rent prices are partly due to the housing shortage.
labor shortage
1/lˈeɪbɚ ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Not enough workers for jobs
When there are not enough workers for the jobs that need to be done.
Examples
- The construction industry is suffering from a labor shortage.
- Restaurants are closing early because of the labor shortage.
shortage of
1/ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
Not enough of something specific
When there is not enough of something that is needed.
Examples
- There is a shortage of nurses in rural areas.
- We are experiencing a shortage of clean water due to the dry season.
water shortage
1/wˈɔtɚ ʃˈɔɹtɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Not enough water available
When there is not enough water for people's needs.
Examples
- The town declared an emergency due to the water shortage.
- Water shortages are common in this region during summer.