What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deficit
Example
The company is facing a budget deficit this year. [deficit: noun]
Example
The government has been running a trade deficit for several years. [deficit: noun]
Example
The team's deficit in points was too great to overcome in the final quarter. [deficit: noun]
shortfall
Example
The company experienced a shortfall in sales this quarter. [shortfall: noun]
Example
There was a shortfall in donations for the charity event. [shortfall: noun]
Example
The project suffered a shortfall in funding, which delayed its completion. [shortfall: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deficit is more commonly used in formal and technical contexts, while shortfall is more commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deficit and shortfall?
Deficit is more formal than shortfall, which is more commonly used in informal contexts.
