English pronunciation · Words Starting with D
Deficiency Pronunciation
Deficiency is pronounced di-FI-shuhn-see, IPA /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/.
di-FI-shuhn-see
US /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ · UK /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/
Syllables: di · FI · shuhn · see (4 syllables, stress on syllable 2)
noun: A lack or shortage of something needed, especially in the diet.
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Deficiency in a Sentence
- Blood tests showed an iron deficiency.
- The report listed one serious deficiency in the design.
- Vitamin D deficiency is common in northern winters.
Common Mispronunciations of Deficiency
Not DE-fi-shuhn-see
Deficient and deficiency both anchor on FI, while deficit pulls everything to the front and shortens the word to three beats.
Not di-fi-SEE-uhn-see
The ci pair is a plain sh and takes no beat of its own.
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