shortage
UK: ˈʃɔːtɪdʒ | US: ˈʃɔːrtɪdʒ
n. a situation in which there is not enough of something needed or expected
The word "shortage" combines "short," derived from Old English scort (meaning "not long" or "deficient"), with the suffix "-age," borrowed from Old French -age (denoting a state or result). The term emerged in the early 19th century to describe a deficit or insufficiency, reflecting the logical progression from "short" (lacking) to the abstract noun form.
The drought caused a severe water shortage in the region.
There is a shortage of skilled workers in the tech industry.
The hospital faced a critical shortage of medical supplies.
Farmers warned of a potential food shortage due to poor harvests.
The energy shortage led to frequent power outages.