deficit

Everyday

1. An amount by which something is too small: how much is missing compared with what is needed. tree →
2. (money) The amount by which money spent is more than money coming in. tree →
3. (sport) The number of points or goals a team is behind. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and money problems, a deficit is a shortfall: if you need 50 and have 35, the deficit is 15. In news, a government «budget deficit» means it spends more than it collects in taxes. In sport, a team «came back from a two-goal deficit». Phrases: «a deficit of», «budget deficit», «sleep deficit», «make up the deficit».

Examples

• We needed 30 chairs but had only 24, a deficit of six. tree →
• The club has a deficit, so it must raise money. tree →
• The government's budget deficit grew this year. tree →
• Our team overcame a three-goal deficit to win. tree →
• After the late night I had a sleep deficit. tree →
• The school fair helped make up the deficit. tree →
• There is a deficit of rain this summer. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Pronounced «DEF-i-sit». Opposite: surplus (more than needed). In maths: deficit = amount needed minus amount you have, so it is a subtraction. «Attention deficit» is part of the name of the condition ADHD.