Generally speaking, there is a deficit when an amount falls short, or doesn’t attain or reach, a required level.
Those with a moral deficit put on a good show, and sleep like a baby.
Paul Newman
the Philippines looks to geothermal energy to reduce its energy deficit on the island of Mindoro
Financially and economically speaking, there is a deficit when more money is spent than received i.e. outflows of money exceed inflows of money.
Many governments have run deficits since the financial crisis, that is they have spent more money than they raised through taxation. However, this can be controversial as some politicians view running a fiscal deficit as “living above your means“.
Armed with a $6.4 billion arsenal to fight the coronavirus and its fallout on the economy, this year’s expansionary Budget could run a historic deficit of $10.9 billion – the highest in recent times.
Straitstimes.com February 19 2020
A trade deficit refers to an imbalance between the amount spent on imports and the amount earned on exports.
Trump has pledged to narrow the trade deficit and bring manufacturing back to the United States
CNN February 5 2020
Related words are the adjective “deficient” and the noun “deficiency“
Although he boasts about his negotiating skills, they appear somewhat deficient.
Health care systems around the world denounce deficiencies in medical supplies.
What is the opposite of a deficit? If you are a Spanish speaker then maybe you fall into the common mistake of saying “a superavit” which, while it may bring smiles to many faces, won’t forward your career. It’s not a superrabbit,
it’s actually a surplus.
And I leave you with something to ponder, or think long and carefully about, is it possible to have a moral surplus?