insufficiency
Americannoun
plural
insufficiencies-
deficiency in amount, force, power, competence, or fitness; inadequacy.
insufficiency of supplies.
-
an instance of this.
-
inability of an organ or other part of the body to function normally.
cardiac insufficiency.
noun
-
Also called: insufficience. the state of being insufficient
-
pathol failure in the functioning of an organ, tissue, etc
cardiac insufficiency
Other Word Forms
- self-insufficiency noun
Etymology
Origin of insufficiency
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word insufficientia. See insufficient, -ency
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And here, Orsolya’s sincere if haphazard search for understanding, visible in every fiber of Tompa’s affecting central performance, cleverly lets Jude expose the insufficiency in quick fixes.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
"Vitamin D insufficiency is something that has been recognized as a potential health problem on a fairly large scale in the U.S.,"
From Science Daily • Dec. 30, 2025
In July, the White House said Trump was diagnosed with a chronic but benign vein condition -- chronic venous insufficiency -- following speculation about his bruised hand and swollen legs.
From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025
The clips highlighted the bruises on Trump’s hands, fueling speculation about his health following a chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis.
From Salon • Aug. 31, 2025
But when Arturo didn’t say anything, I felt acutely the meagerness of it, the insufficiency.
From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.