# shortfall

/ˈʃɔɹtˌfɔɫ/ (US) · /ʃˈɔːtfɔːl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shortfall
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a situation where you have less of something than you need or expected. It is often used to talk about missing money, supplies, or time.

For teachers: a deficit or failure to reach a required or expected amount. Often used in financial or logistical contexts to describe the gap between a target and the actual result.

## Examples

- The company had a budget shortfall this year.
- A sudden shortfall in grain production forced the government to increase food imports from neighboring countries.
- Economists warned that the projected revenue shortfall could lead to significant cuts in public services unless the tax code was reformed to capture digital transactions.

## Usage notes

- Commonly paired with 'in' to specify the missing resource, such as a 'shortfall in funding' or a 'shortfall in production'.

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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.