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Spell Bee Word: Deficit

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What does deficit mean?

Word: Deficit

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: Deficit means the amount by which something falls short of what is needed, such as money, water or sleep.

Synonyms: shortfall, shortage, loss

Antonyms: excess

How do you spell deficit?

Syllables: def - i - cit

Tricky part: There is only one f. The ending is cit, not set or sit, even though it sounds like sit.

Watch out for: deficet, defficit, defisit

Memory tip: The last c sounds like s, just as in city: picture a city water tank running short, a deficit.

Deficit in a sentence

Example 1: The canteen ran a small deficit last term, so snacks now cost ten pence more.

Example 2: After a dry winter the town faced a deficit of drinking water.

Example 3: A week of late nights left him with a sleep deficit.

Next steps

Fun Fact

Every year many governments set a target for the budget deficit, given as a percentage of the country's GDP.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word:

deficit

a) debt
b) surplus
c) expense
d) bill

Show answer

b) surplus. A surplus is an amount left over, the opposite of falling short.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the incorrectly spelt word:

a) defecit
b) revenue
c) expenditure
d) budget

Show answer

a) defecit. Write an i, not an e, after the f: def-i-cit.

Mingle-Mangle

Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:

tificed

a) defect
b) deceit
c) deficit
d) edict

Show answer

c) deficit. Defect and deceit each need a second e, and edict leaves out the f.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which situation creates a deficit?

a) spending more than you earn
b) spending exactly what you earn
c) saving half of what you earn
d) earning more than you spend

Show answer

a) spending more than you earn

2. Which headline is about a deficit?

a) School opens a new science laboratory
b) City marathon draws a record crowd
c) Town short of 200,000 litres of water a day
d) Farmers celebrate a record rice harvest

Show answer

c) Town short of 200,000 litres of water a day

Associated Words

Words that start with defi: definition, defiance, deficiency

Related words on the Spell Bee lists: shortage, loss, excess

More words from this list

excise, horseshoe, mildew, prejudice, statute, volley, anonymous, chestnut

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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