shortfall

/ˈʃɔːrtfɔːl/

a deficiency or insufficiency

The company reported a shortfall in its quarterly revenue.

The company did not meet its expected revenue target.

Finance

formal

A deficiency or failure to meet a required amount or level.

The government announced a budget shortfall of $500 million.

The government's spending exceeded its revenue by $500 million.

Commonly used in financial and business contexts to describe unmet targets or deficits.

general

A lack or insufficiency of something needed or expected.

There was a shortfall in the number of volunteers for the event.

Not enough people signed up to volunteer for the event.

Collocations

budget shortfalla deficit in a financial budgetrevenue shortfalla failure to meet expected income

to compensate for a deficiency

Use 'shortfall' in professional or formal contexts, such as financial reports or business meetings.

Ensure 'shortfall' is used to describe a specific, measurable deficiency rather than a vague lack.

From 'short' (insufficient) + 'fall' (decline or failure to meet). First recorded in the mid-16th century.

Often used in formal contexts, particularly in finance and business. Can also refer to a general lack of something.

short

insufficient

root

fall

decline or failure

root

English Dictionary