Definition

Noun: 1. A state or situation in which there is not enough of something that is needed; a deficiency. This refers to an inadequate supply or amount of something required. 2. The amount by which something, especially a supply, falls short of what is required or expected. This quantifies the specific gap or deficit.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The severe drought led to a critical shortage of drinking water in the region.
  • Many hospitals are experiencing a shortage of qualified nurses.
  • There is a projected shortage of 500 units, so we need to increase production.

Advanced Usage

• "to make up for a shortage": to compensate for or fill a deficit.
  • Imports were increased to make up for the domestic food shortage.
• "a chronic shortage": a long-lasting or persistent deficiency.
  • The city faces a chronic shortage of affordable housing.

Variants and Related Words

• Short (adj): lacking an adequate quantity; less than the required amount.
  • We are short on time.
• Shortfall (n): a deficit of something required or expected, often used interchangeably with the second definition of "shortage."
  • The company reported a revenue shortfall this quarter.

Synonyms

• Deficit: The amount by which something, especially a sum of money, is too small.
• Scarcity: The state of being in short supply.
• Insufficiency: The condition of being inadequate.

Related Phrases

• Supply shortage: A specific lack of available goods or materials.
  • The global chip supply shortage affected car manufacturers.
• Labor shortage: A situation where there are not enough workers to fill available jobs.
  • The restaurant had to reduce its hours due to a labor shortage.

Noun

1. an acute insufficiency
2. the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required
   • new blood vessels bud out from the already dilated vascular bed to make up the nutritional deficit