# insufficiently

/ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃəntɫi/ (US) · /ɪnsəfˈɪʃəntli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/insufficiently
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.