B2nounmoneybusiness
US/ˈʃɔːrt.fɑːl/
UK/ˈʃɔːt.fɔːl/
the amount by which something is less than what you need or expected
In context
The charity had a shortfall of ten thousand dollars this year.
Rising imports will cover the shortfall in domestic oil production.
There is a serious shortfall of nurses in rural hospitals.
Words that go with shortfall
noun + noun
- budget shortfallThe council faces a budget shortfall next year.
noun + preposition
- shortfall in fundingA shortfall in funding forced the school to close.
- shortfall ofThere is a shortfall of about two million units.
verb + noun
- make up the shortfallThe state will make up the shortfall with new taxes.
- cover a shortfallDonations helped cover the shortfall.
adjective + noun
- huge shortfallThe company reported a huge shortfall in sales.