Word · CEFR C2 · Frequency #11799
deficient
缺乏的；不足的；未达标的
Lacking something essential or not reaching a required standard; often followed by 'in'.
常与 in 连用：be deficient in sth（缺乏某物）
- 1.
Lacking something essential; often construed with in.
缺乏必要的东西；常与 in 连用。
- 2.
inadequate in amount or degree
数量或程度不足的
- 3.
Insufficient or inadequate in amount.
数量不足或不充分。
- 4.
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
数量无法满足需求或要求的
- 5.
Of a number n, Having the sum of divisors σ(n)<2n, or, equivalently, the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) s(n)<n.
数 n 的因数之和 σ(n) 小于 2n,即真因数之和 s(n) 小于 n。
- 6.
falling short of some prescribed norm
未达到规定标准的；不足的
亏数的（指数 n 的真因数之和小于 n）；缺乏必要的东西；常与 in 连用。；数量或程度不足的；数量不足或不充分。；数量无法满足需求或要求的
In use
The report was found to be deficient in several key areas.
A diet deficient in vitamin C can lead to health problems.
His explanation was deficient and failed to convince anyone.
a deficient education
deficient in common sense
be deficient in sth
表示在某个方面不足，常接抽象名词或具体物质。
The soil is deficient in essential minerals.
土壤缺乏必需的矿物质。
find sth deficient
表示认为某物有缺陷或不足。
The inspector found the safety measures deficient.
Connections
Collocations
- deficient in vitamin D
- 缺乏维生素D的
- During winter, many people become deficient in vitamin D.冬天，许多人会缺乏维生素D。
- severely deficient
- 严重不足的
- The town's fire service is severely deficient in modern equipment.该镇的消防服务在现代设备方面严重不足。
- nutritionally deficient
- 营养不足的
- This snack is nutritionally deficient, so it should not replace a meal.这种零食营养不足，因此不应替代正餐。
- deficient rainfall
- 降雨不足的
- The crops withered because of deficient rainfall.由于降雨不足，庄稼枯萎了。
- deficient number
- 亏数
- A prime number is always a deficient number.质数总是亏数。
Synonyms
Learner notes
Memory Tip
deficient 与 deficit（赤字）形近，想到“缺”：缺钱、缺乏、不足。注意拼写结尾是 -cient。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：academic writing、medical reports、nutritional assessments deficient 属于较正式的书面用词，多用于学术写作、医疗或营养报告等正式语境；日常口语中更常说 lacking 或 not enough。
Grammar Note
常与介词in连用，表示在某方面不足
Pronunciation & Spelling
deficient /dɪˈfɪʃənt/ 与 efficient /ɪˈfɪʃənt/、sufficient /səˈfɪʃənt/、proficient /prəˈfɪʃənt/ 押韵，均以 /ˈfɪʃənt/ 结尾。注意拼写相似的 patient /ˈpeɪʃənt/、ancient /ˈeɪnʃənt/、decent /ˈdiːsənt/ 发音不同。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.