insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 

plural insufficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being insufficient: such as

a

: lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence

the insufficiency of this person for public office

b

: lack of adequate supply

insufficiency of provisions

c

: lack of physical power or capacity

especially : inability of an organ or body part to function normally

renal insufficiency

2

: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of insufficiency in a Sentence

dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket

her alleged insufficiency for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

These snug garments were once used primarily in medical contexts to improve circulation, especially in people with damage to their leg veins (say, due to a condition called chronic venous insufficiency). —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024

Renal insufficiency refers to a state in which the kidneys are not functioning at their full capacity. —Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024

These efforts open transgender people up to discrimination and ignore the realities of intersex people, as well as cisgender women with conditions like primary ovarian insufficiency. —Orion Rummler, Them, 31 Oct. 2024

Renal insufficiency can occur with CKD, but not all cases of renal insufficiency are considered CKD. —Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural insufficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being insufficient

2

: a lack of something : deficiency

Medical Definition

insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural insufficiencies

: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as

a

: lack of adequate supply of something

an insufficiency of vitamins

b

: lack of physical power or capacity

especially : inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally

renal insufficiency

pulmonary insufficiency

insufficient

-ənt 

adjective

insufficient blood flow to the brain