What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lacunary
Example
The lacunary nature of the manuscript made it difficult to understand the full story. [lacunary: adjective]
Example
The professor's lecture was lacunary and left many questions unanswered. [lacunary: adjective]
deficient
Example
The company's customer service was deficient and led to many complaints. [deficient: adjective]
Example
The student's writing was deficient in grammar and spelling. [deficient: adjective]
Example
The soil was deficient in nitrogen, which affected the growth of the plants. [deficient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deficient is more commonly used than lacunary in everyday language. Deficient is a more general term that covers a wider range of contexts, while lacunary is more specialized and typically used in technical or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lacunary and deficient?
Both lacunary and deficient are formal words, but lacunary is more technical and specialized, while deficient is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
