shortage
/ˈʃɔː(ɹ)tɪd͡ʒ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: shortages
Meaning · English
A lack or deficiency; an insufficient amount.
Noun
Examples
The admirable smoothness of the riding also reflected the greatest credit on those who, despite the difficulties caused by the shortage of men and materials, have succeeded in maintaining the track in such first-class order.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shortage” mean?
A lack or deficiency; an insufficient amount.
Is “shortage” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.