deficit
/ˈdefɪsɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdefɪsɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-fə-sət British also di-ˈfi-sət or ˈdē-fə-sət/ (ame, mw)
deficit — noun
- deficitsingular
- deficitsplural
1. the situation in which the money spent by a government, company, or organization
the situation in which the money spent by a government, company, or organization is more than the money it receives over a set period of time
Sofia noted that the government announced a budget deficit of fifty billion dollars this year.
collocation: budget deficit
Sahil's small business ran a deficit for six months before turning a profit.
collocation: run a deficit
The trade deficit between the two countries has grown as imports rose faster than exports.
To reduce the deficit, the city council decided to raise taxes and cut programs.
- surplus
the amount by which income exceeds spending
文法句型
deficit + of + amount
run a deficit
in deficit
用法筆記
Often used with the verb 'run' ('run a deficit') and the preposition 'in' ('in deficit'). Frequently modified by adjectives such as 'budget,' 'trade,' or 'fiscal.'
常見錯誤
2. the number of points or goals that a player or team trails an opponent by during
the number of points or goals that a player or team trails an opponent by during a match or sporting contest
Kwame watched the basketball team overcome a twelve-point deficit in the final quarter.
collocation: overcome a deficit
After the first half, the visiting team faced a three-goal deficit they could not close.
Rania knew a two-stroke deficit on the final day would be hard to make up.
The home team had never recovered from such a large deficit in any previous match.
- disadvantage
more general; not tied to sports scoring
- gap
informal; describes the difference but not the trailing position specifically
- lead
the amount by which a team or player is ahead
文法句型
deficit + of + number
overcome a deficit
make up a deficit
用法筆記
Common collocations include 'overcome a deficit,' 'make up a deficit,' and 'come back from a deficit.' Usually appears with a number (e.g., 'a 5-point deficit'). The opposite concept is a 'lead.'
常見錯誤
3. a weakness or lack in a physical or mental function that prevents normal operati
a weakness or lack in a physical or mental function that prevents normal operation, often resulting from injury or a medical condition
After the stroke, Adina had a speech deficit that required months of therapy.
collocation: speech deficit
Hui learned that children with an attention deficit often struggle to focus in noisy classrooms.
The doctor explained that Christopher's memory deficit came from a head injury last year.
After six weeks of therapy, Jenna recovered from a mobility deficit in her left leg.
- impairment
more formal and clinical; suggests a more serious or permanent condition
- disorder
implies a diagnosed medical condition rather than a measured gap in ability
- deficiency
often used for lacking a substance or quality rather than a functional ability
文法句型
attention deficit
speech deficit
memory deficit
用法筆記
Most common in medical and psychological contexts. Frequently appears as part of compound terms naming the affected ability: 'attention deficit,' 'speech deficit,' 'cognitive deficit.' The term 'deficit' in this sense is more clinical than 'problem' or 'issue.'