insufficient
adj.-
1 not enough quantity (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatenot having enough of something that is needed.
lacking in the required amount or quantity to satisfy a particular purpose.
ExampleThe hikers had to turn back because they had insufficient water for the long trip.
ExampleThe project was delayed indefinitely due to insufficient funding from the primary investors during the first quarter.
UsageCommonly followed by the preposition 'for' or an infinitive 'to' phrase.
PitfallThe food was insufficient for we all.The food was insufficient for all of us.Insufficient is an adjective; it describes the noun (food) and usually takes a prepositional phrase starting with 'for'.
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2 not good enough (adj.) C1 Advanced Formal Academicnot of a high enough quality or strength to do a job.
failing to meet a qualitative standard or lacking the necessary power or evidence to be effective.
ExampleThe police released the suspect because there was insufficient evidence to charge him.
ExampleThe candidate's previous experience was deemed insufficient for the demands of a senior executive role in such a competitive market.
Teacher's tipThis sense is very common in legal, academic, and professional reports where 'not enough' might sound too casual.
From Middle French insufficient, from Latin insufficiens. See also in- + sufficient.
- Adjectiveinsufficient
- Adverbinsufficiently