/ 5FR:tIdV; `FRrtIdV/ n [C, U] lack of sth needed; deficiency 缺少; 不足; 短缺: food, fuel, housing shortages 食物﹑ 燃料﹑ 住房短缺 * a shortage of rice, funds, equipment 大米﹑ 资金﹑ 设备不足 * owing to (a) shortage of staff 由於人员缺乏 * a shortage of 50 tons 缺少50吨 * There was no shortage of helpers. 不缺帮手.