Shortage — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈshȯr-tij/ short·age

Meaning & Definition of Shortage

Shortage (noun)

  1. lack, deficit

Shortage (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number

    "there was a troubling shortage of supplies for the troops overseas this year"

    similar: crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, undersupply, want
    related: absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation
    opposite: abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth
    near: bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shortage

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shortage:

crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, undersupply, want

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Shortage

Words with the opposite meaning of Shortage:

abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth

Related Words for Shortage

absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation

Near Antonyms of Shortage

bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

Origin & Etymology of Shortage

First known use: 1868

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Shortage

Words & Phrases Containing Shortage

no shortage of

Frequently Asked Questions about Shortage

What does "Shortage" mean?

"Shortage" means lack, deficit. As a noun, it is defined as: lack, deficit.

What is another word for "Shortage"?

Other words for "Shortage" include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine and inadequacy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shortage" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shortage"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shortage". Common alternatives include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness and insufficiency.

What is the opposite of "Shortage"?

Antonyms of "Shortage" include abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency and wealth. Near antonyms include bountifulness, copiousness, excess and overabundance.

How do you use "Shortage" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shortage" in a sentence: "there was a troubling shortage of supplies for the troops overseas this year".

Is "Shortage" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Shortage" is a noun.

Is "Shortage" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Shortage" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Shortage"?

"Shortage" is pronounced /ˈshȯr-tij/ and divided into syllables as short·age.