insufficient

Everyday

1. Insufficient means not enough; less than what is needed. tree →
2. (formal) Used about evidence, money, time or effort that does not meet a need. tree →

In the lessons

Used in formal writing, exams and messages: «insufficient funds», «insufficient evidence», «insufficient time». It tells the reader something is short of what is needed.

Examples

• There was insufficient water for all the plants. tree →
• The bank said there were insufficient funds. tree →
• The police had insufficient evidence. tree →
• The answer gave insufficient detail. tree →
• Insufficient sleep can make you tired and grumpy. tree →
• There were insufficient chairs for everyone. tree →
• The vessel, you must understand, was so long, and broad, and ponderous, that the united force of all the fifty was insufficient to shove her into the water. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday talk says «not enough». Opposite: sufficient. «An insufficient» (vowel sound). In maths, «insufficient» means the amount is less than needed: if 30 chairs are needed and 24 are there, they are 6 short.

In Jewish tradition

Used in formal writing, exams and messages: «insufficient funds», «insufficient evidence», «insufficient time». It tells the reader something is short of what is needed.

Examples

• The explanatory notes given by this author are, nevertheless, insufficient and sometimes very incorrect. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Formal; everyday talk says «not enough». Opposite: sufficient. «An insufficient» (vowel sound). In maths, «insufficient» means the amount is less than needed: if 30 chairs are needed and 24 are there, they are 6 short.