Word · CEFR B2 · Frequency #4791
insufficient
不足的，不够的
Not enough to meet a need or requirement.
- 1.
Not sufficient; of a type or kind that does not suffice, that does not satisfy requirements or needs.
不充分的；不足以满足要求或需要的
- 2.
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
数量上不能满足需要或要求的；不足的
- 3.
Not sufficient; lacking competent power or ability; unqualified, unequal, unfit.
不充分的；缺乏能力或资格；不胜任的
不胜任的，不称职的；不适合的；不充分的；不足以满足要求或需要的；数量上不能满足需要或要求的；不足的；不充分的；缺乏能力或资格；不胜任的；不够的
In use
The money in my wallet was insufficient to cover the bill.
The time allocated for the exam was insufficient for most students.
The evidence was insufficient to convict the defendant.
insufficient funds
insufficient for sth
用于表示某物在数量或程度上无法满足某个需求。
The budget is insufficient for the project.
预算不足以支持这个项目。
insufficient to do sth
后接不定式，表示不足以完成某个动作。
The evidence is insufficient to prove his guilt.
证据不足以证明他有罪。
insufficient in sth
用于指出在某方面（如营养素、质量等）的缺乏。
Connections
Collocations
- insufficient evidence
- 证据不足
- The case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.该案件因证据不足而被驳回。
- insufficient funds
- 资金不足
- The project was halted because of insufficient funds.该项目因资金不足而暂停。
- insufficient time
- 时间不足
- We had insufficient time to complete the task.我们没有足够的时间完成任务。
- insufficient data
- 数据不足
- The analysis was inconclusive due to insufficient data.由于数据不足，分析未能得出明确结论。
- insufficient resources
- 资源不足
- The school struggled with insufficient resources.这所学校因资源不足而举步维艰。
- insufficient capacity
Learner notes
Memory Tip
联想：in-（不）+ sufficient（足够的）= 不足的
Context & Register
“insufficient”通常为中性，多用于正式或书面语境，表示数量不足。
Pronunciation & Spelling
sufficient, deficient, efficient, and proficient all rhyme with insufficient (stressed vowel /ɪ/, ending /ʃənt/). Patient and different share the spelling ending -ent but are pronounced with different vowels and do not rhyme.
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 2，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.