The Britannica Dictionary
mobile search
Home
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
×
Britannica Homepage
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
The Britannica Dictionary
shortfall
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
shortfall
(noun)
shortfall
/
ˈ
ʃoɚtˌfɑːl/
noun
plural
shortfalls
shortfall
/
ˈ
ʃoɚtˌfɑːl/
noun
plural
shortfalls
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHORTFALL
[
count
]
formal
:
a failure to get what is expected or needed
a
shortfall
in milk production
profit
shortfalls
We had a budget
shortfall
. [=our costs were higher than the available amount of money]
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
also
:
the amount of such a failure
a $2 million
shortfall
= a
shortfall
of $2 million [=$2 million less than is needed]
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
ASK THE EDITOR
In what ways is the word 'fish' used as singular and plural?
See the answer »
QUIZZES
Vocabulary Quiz
Test your word power
Take the Quiz »
Name That Thing
Take our visual quiz
Test Your Knowledge »
WORD OF THE DAY
egotist
:
a person who has the feeling or belief that they are better, more important, more talented, etc., than other people
Learn More »