Word
insufficiently
Phoneticsin·suf·fi·cient·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃəntɫi/
UK/ɪnsəfˈɪʃəntli/
Adverb of degree
Definition
adv. not enough for what is needed. You use this to describe something that is too small, too short, or not good enough to do the job.
adv. to a degree that is not enough for a particular purpose or requirement. Often used to modify adjectives or verbs to indicate a lack of adequacy.
Examples
“The evidence is insufficiently strong to prove the case.”
“The bridge was built insufficiently to handle the weight of modern trucks, leading to its closure for repairs.”
“While the initial data suggested a correlation, the researchers noted that the sample size was insufficiently large to draw any definitive conclusions about the population as a whole.”
Examples
simple
“The evidence is insufficiently strong to prove the case.”
contextual
“The bridge was built insufficiently to handle the weight of modern trucks, leading to its closure for repairs.”
complex
“While the initial data suggested a correlation, the researchers noted that the sample size was insufficiently large to draw any definitive conclusions about the population as a whole.”
Real-World Examples
“There was the first decade when there was a sense that he didn’t quite fit, was somehow insufficiently Argentinian, didn’t care for his country.” Etymology
From insufficient + -ly or in- + sufficiently.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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