insufficient
The food was insufficient for the large group of people.
There wasn't enough food for everyone.
not enough in amount, quantity, or degree
The evidence provided was insufficient to prove the case.
The evidence wasn't enough to support the argument.
Insufficient sleep can lead to poor concentration.
Not sleeping enough can make it hard to focus.
Commonly used in formal contexts like reports, legal documents, or academic writing.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Don't use 'insufficient enough'—'insufficient' already implies a lack. Instead, say 'not enough.'
Gold Rule
Formal tone
Use 'insufficient' in academic, legal, or professional contexts rather than casual speech.
Word Origin
From Latin *insufficient-*, from *insufficiens* 'not supplying enough,' from *in-* 'not' + *sufficiens* 'sufficient.'
Usage Notes
Often used in formal or technical writing. Avoid using it to describe people (e.g., 'He is insufficient' is incorrect).