deficient Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite inadequate in amount or degree
    wanting; lacking.
    • a deficient education
    • deficient in common sense
    • lacking in stamina
    • tested and found wanting
  2. adjective of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
    insufficient.
    • insufficient funds
  3. adjective satellite falling short of some prescribed norm
    substandard; inferior.
    • substandard housing

WordNet

De*fi"cient adjective
Etymology
L. deficiens, -entis, p. pr. of deficere to be wanting. See Defect.
Definitions
  1. Wanting, to make up completeness; wanting, as regards a requirement; not sufficient; inadequate; defective; imperfect; incomplete; lacking; as, deficient parts; deficient estate; deficient strength; deficient in judgment.
    The style was indeed deficient in ease and variety. Macaulay.
    -- De*fi"cient-ly, adv.

Webster 1913