shortfall
UK: ˈʃɔːtfɔːl | US: ˈʃɔːrtfɔːl
n. a deficit or deficiency, especially the amount by which something falls short of expectations or requirements.
The word "shortfall" combines "short" (Old English scort, meaning "not reaching far enough" or "inadequate") with "fall" (Old English feallan, meaning "to drop or descend"). The compound emerged in the early 19th century, originally describing financial deficits where income "fell short" of expenditures. The logic is vivid: a "falling short" implies a measurable gap between what is needed and what exists.
The project faced a budget shortfall due to unexpected costs.
Crop failures led to a food shortfall in the region.
Investors worried about the revenue shortfall this quarter.
The team addressed the staffing shortfall by hiring temporary workers.
A shortfall in donations forced the charity to reduce its programs.