shortfall
|short/fall|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈʃɔrtˌfɔl/
🇬🇧
/ˈʃɔːtˌfɔːl/
deficit or lack
Etymology
Etymology Information
'shortfall' originates from the combination of 'short' and 'fall', where 'short' meant 'lacking' and 'fall' referred to 'a decrease or drop'.
Historical Evolution
'shortfall' was formed in modern English by combining 'short' and 'fall'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a decrease or drop in quantity', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a deficit or lack of something required or expected'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a deficit or lack of something required or expected.
The company faced a shortfall in its budget.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40