1
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。
缺乏的；不足的；未达标的
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
缺乏的；不足的；未达标的
Lacking something essential or not reaching a required standard; often followed by 'in'.
The soil is deficient in essential minerals.
土壤缺乏必需的矿物质。
常与 in 连用：be deficient in sth（缺乏某物）
缺乏必要的东西；常与 in 连用。
Lacking something essential; often construed with in.
数量或程度不足的
inadequate in amount or degree
数量不足或不充分。
Insufficient or inadequate in amount.
数量无法满足需求或要求的
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
The report was found to be deficient in several key areas.
该报告被发现存在几个关键领域的不足。
AI contextual example
A diet deficient in vitamin C can lead to health problems.
缺乏维生素C的饮食会导致健康问题。
AI contextual example
His explanation was deficient and failed to convince anyone.
他的解释不充分，未能说服任何人。
AI contextual example
a deficient education
不完善的教育
WordNet
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。
表示认为某物有缺陷或不足。
The inspector found the safety measures deficient.
检查员发现安全措施不足。
表示在某个行为或能力上不足。
He is deficient at managing his finances.
他在理财方面有所不足。
Not this
There is a deficient of water in this region.
Use this
There is a deficiency of water in this region.
“deficient”是形容词，而这里需要名词形式“deficiency”表示“不足”；中文“不足”可作名词，但英语中形容词不能直接作主语或宾语。
Not this
This food is deficient of vitamins.
Use this
This food is deficient in vitamins.
“deficient”后应接介词“in”表示在某方面不足，而非“of”；受中文“缺乏...”的影响，容易误用“of”。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
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。
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。
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。
降雨不足的
The crops withered because of deficient rainfall.
由于降雨不足，庄稼枯萎了。
亏数
A prime number is always a deficient number.
质数总是亏数。
Use deficient naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
deficient 与 deficit（赤字）形近，想到“缺”：缺钱、缺乏、不足。注意拼写结尾是 -cient。
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。
常与介词in连用，表示在某方面不足
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.