shortage
B1Neutral to formal; common in news, business, academic, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A situation where there is not enough of something that is needed.
A deficiency or lack in quantity compared to requirement or demand; can refer to tangible goods (food, water), resources (energy, labor), or abstract concepts (time, ideas).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a measurable deficit relative to a standard or need. Often carries a negative connotation of insufficiency causing problems. Can be temporary or chronic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical in meaning and frequency. Minor collocational preferences exist (e.g., 'labour shortage' more common in UK, 'labor shortage' in US).
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
shortage of [NOUN]shortage in [NOUN]There is a shortage of...to experience a shortage of...to cause a shortageVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be) in short supply”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to deficits in materials, skilled workers, or capital that disrupt operations.
Academic
Used in economics, sociology, and environmental studies to discuss resource allocation and crises.
Everyday
Commonly used regarding groceries, fuel, water, or housing.
Technical
In logistics and supply chain management, denotes a specific gap between supply and demand.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (Use 'short' or 'scarce')
American English
- N/A (Use 'short' or 'scarce')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is a shortage of milk at the shop.
- The hot weather caused a water shortage.
- The hospital is facing a severe shortage of nurses.
- A shortage of affordable housing is a major problem in many cities.
- The unexpected frost led to a shortage of certain vegetables, driving up prices.
- Critics argue the policy will exacerbate the existing shortage of skilled technicians.
- The geopolitical tensions have precipitated an acute shortage of semiconductor chips, impacting global manufacturing.
- The report highlights a chronic shortage of investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'short' ruler trying to measure a long table – it's not enough for the task. 'Short-age' is the state of being short/not enough.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE QUANTITIES (a shortage is a low level in the container).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'короткий возраст'. The Russian ближайший equivalent is 'нехватка' or 'дефицит'. Do not confuse with 'shortness' (короткость).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'shortage' for a lack of abstract qualities (e.g., 'shortage of love' is unusual). Using 'shortage' as a verb (incorrect: 'We shortage water'; correct: 'We have a shortage of water').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'shortage'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Shortage' often implies a measurable deficit of something concrete or quantifiable relative to demand or need (e.g., a teacher shortage). 'Lack' is broader, can be more absolute, and applies to both concrete and abstract things (e.g., a lack of confidence). A shortage is a specific type of lack.
No, 'shortage' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to be short of' something or 'to run short of' something.
Both are used. 'Shortage of' is more common (shortage of water). 'Shortage in' is often used with fields or areas (a shortage in the engineering sector, a shortage in supply).
The most direct opposite is 'surplus' (an excess). Others include 'abundance', 'glut', or 'oversupply'.