How to pronounce deficient
Say it like dih-FISH-unt. Deficient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deficient. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FISH
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deficient pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of deficient
American and British speakers say deficient in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɪʃənt/ in the US and /dɪˈfɪʃənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FISH-unt.
What does deficient mean?
- Lacking something essential; often construed with in.“They were deficient in social skills.”
- Insufficient or inadequate in amount.
- Of a number n, Having the sum of divisors σ(n) < 2n, or, equivalently, the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) s(n) < n.
- A person who is deficient.
Where does deficient come from?
From Latin deficiens, present participle of deficere (“to lack, fail, be wanting”); see defect.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with deficient
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deficient.
Questions about saying deficient
How do you pronounce deficient?
Say dih-FISH-unt. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɪʃənt/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɪʃənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deficient?
Deficient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH). Broken into parts: dih · FISH · unt.
Do Americans and Brits say deficient the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɪʃənt/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɪʃənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.