C2adjectiveformalfoodhealth
US/dɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/
UK/dɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/
not having enough of something that is needed, especially in food; also not good enough
In context
Children who eat mostly white rice can become deficient in iron.
Many office workers are deficient in vitamin D because they rarely go outside.
Inspectors found the school's safety measures seriously deficient.
Words that go with deficient
adjective + preposition
- deficient inSoil in this area is deficient in nitrogen.
noun + noun
- vitamin deficientVitamin deficient diets are common among the poor.
- iron deficientPregnant women are often iron deficient.
adverb + adjective
- seriously deficientThe report called the hospital's equipment seriously deficient.
- severely deficientThe refugees' diet was severely deficient.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He is deficient of iron.Correct: He is deficient in iron.