B2nounmoneypolitics
US/ˈdef.ə.sɪt/
UK/ˈdef.ɪ.sɪt/
the amount by which money spent or owed is more than money received; also a lack of something
In context
The government plans to cut spending to reduce the budget deficit.
The country has a trade deficit because it imports more than it exports.
The team came back from a two-goal deficit to win the match.
Words that go with deficit
noun + noun
- budget deficitRising health costs have made the budget deficit worse.
- trade deficitThe trade deficit with China grew again last year.
- attention deficitChildren with attention deficit disorder may find it hard to sit still.
verb + noun
- reduce the deficitThe new tax is meant to reduce the deficit.
- run a deficitThe city has run a deficit for five years in a row.
adjective + noun
- huge deficitThe company ended the year with a huge deficit.
noun + preposition
- deficit ofThere is a deficit of trained teachers in rural areas.