Added 9 October 2026 insufficiency /ɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/ noun Categories: Describing WordsUncommon Words noun ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about insufficiency at Wordnik → Where our words come from → A lack of competence. pointed out the insufficiencies in my report (pathology) inability of a bodily part or organ to function normally. Lack of an adequate quantity or number. the inadequacy of unemployment benefits Related Words: deficiencyinadequacylackdeficientinsufficientdeficitinadequateshortcomingunderreportingfailureunderemploymentshortage Back to today's word