having an inadequate number of workers or assistants
understaffed
Definition, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for understaffed.
Editorial note
Oakland police is severely understaffed, by about a half of what a city of this size would require.
Quick take
having an inadequate number of workers or assistants
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of understaffed gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for understaffed.
adjective
having an inadequate number of workers or assistants
See also: inadequate, short-handed, undermanned, short-staffed
Example sentences
Oakland police is severely understaffed, by about a half of what a city of this size would require.
Every Subway store you go to seems to be understaffed which just adds to the wait time.
The gentoo portage repository of packages is clearly understaffed and orphaned packages are all too easy to run across.
Belgian prisons are also overcrowded and justice system understaffed so that prosecuting small one-time offenses is definitely not a priority.
The only problem is that quick prototypes and temporary solutions have a habit of becoming permanent, especially if you are understaffed.
The net effect is the same: you are now even more understaffed, but it's a permanent problem instead of a temporary one.
But there are plenty of other projects out there that are understaffed.
It was plainly clear that they were WAY understaffed.
If a company spends six months hobbling along understaffed, waiting for the sure thing to walk in the door for $5k less, that will seriously harm their business.
If you're understaffed, is it really better to keep asking your staff to work extra while you satisfy the culture requirement, even if it's just while someone ramps up?
Poor knowledge, an understaffed IT department and no support from Washington sounds like a recipe for disaster, even more if the guy just wanted to get his job done.
We were understaffed, underfunded, and underpaid.
Quote examples
Part of the corruption this creates is that if one tried to undo this law, those who abuse it have millions to spend on propaganda claiming that it would "Deny understaffed police agencies from millions they desperately need".
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use understaffed in a sentence?
Oakland police is severely understaffed, by about a half of what a city of this size would require.
What does understaffed mean?
having an inadequate number of workers or assistants
What part of speech is understaffed?
understaffed is commonly used as adjective.