👉 Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack.
Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look! You’ve stumbled upon a word that needs a little unpacking, it seems – “def.” The dictionary gives you a good start, doesn't it? “Deficiency in amount or quality…a falling short…lack.” Let’s break it down with a little rhyme to make it stick: “ Def is short for ‘deficient,’ you see, Meaning something’s missing, not quite free! A shortage, a lack, a shortfall too, Something isn't complete, it’s plain and true!” Think of it like this: if you have ten cookies but only eat seven – there’s a deficiency of three. Or if a painting is missing a brushstroke or two - that's a deficiency in its quality! It describes something that isn’t quite right, because it’s not enough or doesn’t have everything it needs. Does that make sense? Any questions before we move on to the next word? Don’t be shy – raise your hand and let's explore this further!