insufficiency

/ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē/ (ame, mw)

insufficiency — noun

  • insufficiencysingular
  • insufficienciesplural

1. A situation in which the amount or supply of something — such as food, money, ti

1.名詞C1
釋義

A situation in which the amount or supply of something — such as food, money, time, or resources — is less than what is needed for a particular purpose.

例句

The relief agency warned that the insufficiency of clean drinking water was putting thousands of children at risk.

insufficiency of + noun phrase (clean drinking water)

After months of drought, the village faced a severe insufficiency of grain for the coming winter.

severe insufficiency — adjective collocation

同義詞
  • shortage

    More concrete; used specifically for physical goods or supplies that have run low

  • deficiency

    Suggests a lack of something essential or required, often in a nutritional or systemic context

  • scarcity

    Implies rareness or limited availability, not necessarily a failure to meet a specific need

  • inadequacy

    Softer; focuses on falling short of a standard or expectation

反義詞
  • sufficiency

    The direct opposite — having exactly enough

  • abundance

    Much more than enough, often implying plenty

  • surplus

    An extra amount beyond what is needed

文法句型

insufficiency of [something]

adjective + insufficiency

用法筆記

Typically uncountable. Common in formal reports, academic writing, and journalism. Frequently paired with adjectives like 'chronic', 'acute', 'severe', 'relative'.

常見錯誤

❌There is a insufficiency of funds.
✅There is an insufficiency of funds.
💡The word begins with a vowel sound, so the article must be 'an'.
❌The insufficiency of rain meant shortage.
✅The insufficiency of rain meant a shortage of crops.
💡'Insufficiency' names the condition of not-enough; 'shortage' names the concrete result. The two are not interchangeable.

2. A medical condition in which a part of the body — such as the heart, kidneys, or

2.名詞C1
釋義

A medical condition in which a part of the body — such as the heart, kidneys, or lungs — is unable to perform its normal functions to the required degree.

例句

The cardiologist diagnosed the elderly patient with chronic cardiac insufficiency and prescribed a strict low-sodium diet.

cardiac insufficiency — organ-specific medical collocation

Renal insufficiency was detected during the nurse's routine blood screening, so the patient was referred to a kidney specialist immediately.

renal insufficiency — common medical pairing

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

[organ] + insufficiency

adjective of organ + insufficiency

用法筆記

Medical context only. Distinguish from sense 1: here it names a physiological condition, not a general lack. Frequently used in the pattern '[organ] + insufficiency' (cardiac insufficiency, renal insufficiency, venous insufficiency). Contrasts with 'failure', which implies complete shutdown rather than partial impairment.

常見錯誤

❌He has food insufficiency in his kidneys.
✅He has renal insufficiency.
💡The medical sense requires the organ-specific adjective, not a general term like 'food'.
❌Cardiac insufficiency' and 'heart failure' mean the same thing.
✅They are different: insufficiency means the heart is weakened but still pumping; failure means it has stopped working adequately.

3. A lack of the personal qualities, skills, or mental fitness needed to handle a s

3.名詞C1
釋義

A lack of the personal qualities, skills, or mental fitness needed to handle a situation, perform a duty, or meet a standard effectively.

例句

The ambassador's insufficiency in cross-cultural negotiation led to strained relations between the two countries.

insufficiency in + gerund (negotiation)

The board questioned whether his moral insufficiency made him unfit to lead a publicly funded charity.

moral insufficiency — collocation for ethical fitness

同義詞
  • incompetence

    Stronger; implies a total or serious lack of the necessary skill

  • inadequacy

    Softer; suggests falling short of expectations rather than total inability

  • incapability

    Suggests inherent inability rather than a lack of training or experience

反義詞
  • competence

    Having the necessary skill or knowledge

  • capability

    Being able to do something effectively

  • fitness

    Being suitable or qualified for a particular role

文法句型

insufficiency in + noun/gerund

possessive + insufficiency

用法筆記

Formal and somewhat dated. More common in legal, psychological, and evaluative writing than in everyday speech. Modern alternatives include 'inadequacy' and 'incompetence' (the latter being stronger). Frequently takes a modifying adjective such as 'mental', 'moral', 'intellectual'.

常見錯誤

❌His insufficiency' used alone is confusing.
✅His insufficiency in dealing with conflict
💡always specify the area or domain, otherwise the reader cannot tell which sense you mean.
❌She was fired for insufficiency.
✅She was fired for professional incompetence.
💡'Incompetence' is the stronger, more natural term in modern workplace contexts.