deficiency meaning and examples

Meaning

Deficiency means a lack of something that is necessary, essential, or important. It often refers to an insufficient amount of a nutrient, quality, or resource.

Grammar and Usage

• Part of speech: Noun (countable/uncountable)

• Typical usage:

  • "deficiency in something"
  • "a deficiency of something"

• Common in medical, nutritional, and general contexts.

Common Phrases

• "vitamin deficiency"
• "iron deficiency"
• "deficiency in leadership"
• "nutrient deficiency"
• "correct a deficiency"

Collocations

• verb + deficiency: cause, correct, detect, treat, suffer from
• adjective + deficiency: serious, slight, major, common, nutritional
• deficiency + of noun: deficiency of vitamin D, deficiency of resources, deficiency of skills

Examples

1. She was diagnosed with an iron deficiency.
2. Vitamin D deficiency is common in colder climates.
3. The report showed serious deficiencies in the safety system.
4. Lack of funds led to a deficiency of essential supplies.
5. The doctor prescribed supplements to correct the deficiency.
6. Calcium deficiency can cause weak bones.
7. The project failed due to a deficiency in leadership.
8. The soil showed a deficiency of important nutrients.

Synonyms or Related

• Lack
• Shortage
• Insufficiency
• Inadequacy
• Absence