French word

carence

Pronunciation

IPA/kaʁɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounshortage

Example

Nous avons constaté une carence de personnel ce mois-ci.

We observed a shortage of staff this month.

Illustration for carence (shortage)

More examples

La carence alimentaire peut affaiblir le corps.

A nutritional deficiency can weaken the body.

Core concept

A gap in a necessary supply or resource weakens the whole arrangement.

Common phrases

  • carence alimentaire

    nutritional deficiency

  • carence en vitamine D

    vitamin D deficiency

Similar words

manque: A lack of something needed.
insuffisance: A shortfall below the required amount.

Definition in French

Désigne l'insuffisance d'un élément nécessaire, constatée ponctuellement ou de façon durable.

Word origin

The French noun carence developed from Latin carentia, a form related to carere, meaning 'to be without'.

Usage tips

  • Carence is more formal than manque and is frequent in administrative, technical, and medical contexts.

Other meanings

  • lacknoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word