Recorded from the 1670s, from the older phrase come short, meaning “fail to reach what is expected or required.”
Recorded from the 1670s, from the older phrase come short, meaning “fail to reach what is expected or required.”
What does shortcoming mean?
A shortcoming is a fault, weakness, or limitation that reduces how good or effective someone or something is.
Is shortcoming usually singular or plural?
Both are possible, but shortcomings is especially common when discussing several weaknesses together.
What is a common synonym for shortcoming?
Flaw, weakness, fault, and limitation are common synonyms, with the best choice depending on context.
What is the difference between a shortcoming and a mistake?
A mistake is a particular wrong action or decision, while a shortcoming is usually an ongoing weakness or limitation.
Can shortcoming describe both people and things?
Yes. A person can have a shortcoming, and so can a plan, product, argument, or system.
Where does shortcoming come from?
Shortcoming was formed from come short, an older phrase meaning to fail to reach an expected standard.