de|fi|cien|cy /d I f I ʃ ə nsi/ (deficiencies )
1 N‑VAR Deficiency in something, especially something that your body needs, is not having enough of it. □ They did blood tests on him for signs of vitamin deficiency.
2 N‑VAR A deficiency that someone or something has is a weakness or imperfection in them. [FORMAL ] □ …a serious deficiency in our air defence.
de|fi|cient /d I f I ʃ ə nt/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is deficient in a particular thing, they do not have the full amount of it that they need in order to function normally or work properly. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in ] …a diet deficient in vitamin B. ● COMB Deficient is also a combining form. □ Vegetarians can become iron-deficient.
2 ADJ Someone or something that is deficient is not good enough for a particular purpose. [FORMAL ] □ …deficient landing systems.
defi|cit ◆◆◇ /de fəs I t/ (deficits ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A deficit is the amount by which something is less than what is required or expected, especially the amount by which the total money received is less than the total money spent. □ They're ready to cut the federal budget deficit for the next fiscal year. ● PHRASE If an account or organization is in deficit , more money has been spent than has been received. □ The current account of the balance of payments is in deficit. COLLOCATIONS deficit NOUN
noun + deficit : budget, pension, trade
verb + deficit : cut, eliminate, halve, reduce; tackle SYNONYMS deficit NOUN
shortfalclass="underline" The government has refused to make up a £30,000 shortfall in funding.
shortage: A shortage of funds is preventing the U.N. from monitoring relief.
de|file /d I fa I l/ (defiles , defiling , defiled )
1 VERB To defile something that people think is important or holy means to do something to it or say something about it which is offensive. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] He had defiled the sacred name of the Holy Prophet.
2 N‑COUNT A defile is a very narrow valley or passage, usually through mountains. [FORMAL ]
de|fin|able /d I fa I nəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is definable can be described or identified. □ Many suffered from a definable mental disorder. □ …groups broadly definable as conservative.
de|fine ◆◇◇ /d I fa I n/ (defines , defining , defined )
1 VERB If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like. □ [V wh] We were unable to define what exactly was wrong with him. □ [V n] He was asked to define his concept of cool. ● de|fined ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] □ …a party with a clearly defined programme and strict rules of membership.
2 VERB If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary. □ [V n + as ] Collins English Dictionary defines a workaholic as 'a person obsessively addicted to work'. SYNONYMS define VERB 1
describe: The myth of Narcissus is described in Ovid's work.
interpret: The whole speech could be interpreted as a coded message to the Americans.
characterize: Both companies have characterized the relationship as friendly.
de|fined /d I fa I nd/ ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] If something is clearly defined or strongly defined , its outline is clear or strong. □ A clearly defined track now leads down to the valley.
defi|nite /de f I n I t/
1 ADJ If something such as a decision or an arrangement is definite , it is firm and clear, and unlikely to be changed. □ It's too soon to give a definite answer. □ Her Royal Highness has definite views about most things. □ She made no definite plans for her future.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Definite evidence or information is true, rather than being someone's opinion or guess. □ We didn't have any definite proof.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use definite to emphasize the strength of your opinion or belief. [EMPHASIS ] □ There has already been a definite improvement. □ That's a very definite possibility.
4 ADJ Someone who is definite behaves or talks in a firm, confident way. □ Mary is very definite about this.
de fi|nite a r|ti|cle (definite articles ) N‑COUNT The word 'the' is sometimes called the definite article .
defi|nite|ly ◆◇◇ /de f I n I tli/
1 ADV [ADV before v] You use definitely to emphasize that something is the case, or to emphasize the strength of your intention or opinion. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'm definitely going to get in touch with these people. □ 'I think the earlier ones are a lot better.'—'Mm, definitely.'
2 ADV [ADV before v] If something has been definitely decided, the decision will not be changed. □ He told them that no venue had yet been definitely decided. SYNONYMS definitely ADV 1
certainly: The public is certainly getting tired of hearing about it.
clearly: Clearly, the police cannot break the law in order to enforce it.
unquestionably: He is unquestionably a star.
undeniably: Bringing up a baby is undeniably hard work.
defi|ni|tion ◆◇◇ /de f I n I ʃ ə n/ (definitions )
1 N‑COUNT A definition is a statement giving the meaning of a word or expression, especially in a dictionary. □ [+ of ] There is no general agreement on a standard definition of intelligence. ● PHRASE If you say that something has a particular quality by definition , you mean that it has this quality simply because of what it is. □ Human perception is highly imperfect and by definition subjective.