Word
insufficient
Meanings
Not enough in amount or degree for a particular purpose or need.
Not meeting a required standard of quality, strength, or effectiveness.
Definition
Not enough in amount, quality, or level to meet a need or standard.
If something is insufficient, it is not enough to achieve a goal, solve a problem, or meet a requirement. It can describe quantities such as time and money, as well as qualities such as evidence or resources. The word often appears in formal or academic contexts where something falls short of what is necessary.
Examples
- I found the data insufficient to support such a broad conclusion.
- You may be rejected if your documentation is insufficient for the application.
- He apologized, admitting that his preparation had been insufficient for the debate.
- She considered the safety measures insufficient for a venue of that size.
- They argued that the proposed budget was insufficient to maintain the service at its current level.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "insufficient" with "inefficient" (not working well), but "insufficient" means "not enough."
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.