short-staffed
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: * Having an insufficient number of workers or staff members to operate effectively. This describes a situation where an organization, team, or business does not have enough employees to handle its normal workload or responsibilities.
Usage
This adjective is typically used to describe a workplace, department, or team. It often implies that the existing staff is overworked or that services may be delayed or reduced. * It is commonly used with the verb to be (e.g., We are short-staffed). * It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb).
Examples
- Attributive use (before a noun):
- The short-staffed restaurant had to close early.
- Managers are struggling with short-staffed departments.
- Predicative use (after a linking verb):
- The hospital is short-staffed this weekend.
- We will be short-staffed until the new hires start next month.
Advanced Usage
- "to run short-staffed": To operate intentionally or unintentionally with fewer staff than is ideal.
- The store often runs short-staffed on weekdays.
- The term often carries a connotation of stress, reduced efficiency, or lower quality of service due to the lack of personnel.
Variants and Related Words
- Short-handed (adjective): A direct synonym, often used interchangeably with "short-staffed," especially in North American English.
- The team was short-handed for the important project.
- Understaffed (adjective): Another very close synonym, emphasizing that the staffing level is below what is required or adequate.
- An understaffed police force.
- Overworked (adjective): Describes the state of the existing staff, which is a common result of being short-staffed.
- The overworked nurses demanded better conditions.
Synonyms
- Understaffed
- Short-handed
- Undermanned
- Shorthanded
Antonyms
- Fully staffed
- Overstaffed
- Well-staffed
Adjective
- inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.
- they're rather short-handed at the moment
- overcrowded and understaffed hospitals