How to pronounce deficient
American English pronunciation
dih-FISH-unt
- IPA
- /dɪˈfɪʃənt/
- Syllables
- dih · FISH · unt (3 syllables, stress on the 2nd)
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What deficient means
Not having enough of something that is needed
In a sentence: After the long, dry summer, our garden soil was deficient in water.
Where it comes from: It comes from a Latin word meaning "to lack" or "to fall short." It's related to defect.
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