insufficiently

Everyday

(formal) Not enough; less than is needed. tree →

In the lessons

In formal writing and science reports: «insufficiently heated», «insufficiently prepared». In safety: food that is insufficiently cooked can make you ill. Everyday words: not enough.

Examples

• The chicken was insufficiently cooked, so we put it back in. tree →
• He was insufficiently prepared for the test. tree →
• The room was insufficiently heated. tree →
• Insufficiently watered plants droop. tree →
• The answer was insufficiently explained. tree →
• The tent was insufficiently pegged and blew away. tree →

Note

Formal. From insufficient + -ly; opposite: sufficiently. In maths, «insufficient» means the amount is less than what is needed — look for how much more is required.