easy
The school had a paper shortage after the big art project.
What does Shortage mean?
not enough of something needed.
Dictionary definition
A situation in which there is not enough of something needed.
Example sentences
Shortage in a sentence
medium
A water shortage can happen during a long dry season.
hard
The report explained how a shortage of supplies delayed the community project.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice shortage in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Shortage
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does shortage mean?
Shortage means not enough of something needed.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to shortage?
Scarcity is close in meaning to shortage in this context.
Practice 3
Which word is a useful contrast for shortage?
Surplus contrasts with shortage in this context.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Shortage
Voice settings
Sounds like
shor · tij · strongest beat: shor
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordShortage.
Partnoun.
MeaningShortage means not enough of something needed.
ExampleExample: The school had a paper shortage after the big art project.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- shor · tij
- Strongest beat
- shor
- Ending
- tij
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on shor.
Your turn
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Nice work—you practiced shortage.
Synonyms
Words like Shortage
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice shortage synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "A pencil shortage meant everyone had to share," then compare close word choices. Practice shortage synonyms.
Word family
Shortage word family
Base word
shortage
noun
shortages
More than one situation with not enough supply.
adjective
short
Not enough or less than expected in some contexts.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Shortage
Hint for students
not enough of something needed.
Common mix-up
Shortage is not the same as surplus. Shortage means not enough of something needed.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: A water shortage can happen during a long dry season. Clue words: water, happen, during. Underline clue words that show why shortage fits instead of surplus. Now write one new sentence that shows shortage without using the word shortage. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show shortage?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "A water shortage can happen during a long dry season." Why does shortage fit better than surplus?
Learning activities
Practice Shortage and explore more word games
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Sentence Builder
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Context Clue Challenge
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Synonym Search
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