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shortcoming

/ˌʃɔrtˌˈkʌmɪŋ/
/ˈʃɔtkəmɪŋ/
IPA guide

Other forms: shortcomings

The flaw in something is its shortcoming — your car's only shortcoming might be its lack of a sunroof, for example.

Use the noun shortcoming when you talk about the way something — or someone — comes up short. Your boss's shortcoming could be her high expectations, and your job's shortcomings might be having to deal with your boss and not earning much money. The root of shortcoming is the phrase "to come short," which was used starting in the 1600's to mean "to be inadequate."

Definitions of shortcoming
  1. noun
    a failing or deficiency
    synonyms: defect
    see moresee less
    type of:
    disadvantage
    the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘shortcoming'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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