understaffed

American  

[uhn-der-staft, -stahft] / ˌʌn dərˈstæft, -ˈstɑft /

adjective

1. having an insufficient number of personnel.

   The hospital is understaffed.

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understaffed British  

/ ˌʌndəˈstɑːft /

adjective

1. not having enough staff

   her department is understaffed

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Etymology

Origin of understaffed

First recorded in 1890–95; under- + staff ¹ + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Hsieh said the offices responsible for managing the shelters are understaffed and would be overwhelmed in a war.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said the county has made some strides in the right direction, including hiring more people and adding positions to a severely understaffed department, but it’s not enough.

From Los Angeles Times

For fans, the security funding that’s stuck in limbo could mean the difference between a smoothly run tournament and a chaotic, understaffed event where security lines stretch for miles.

From MarketWatch

Once viewed as a retail winner, the company has grappled with merchandise missteps, understaffed and messy stores, and backlash over its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

From Barron's

“If crypto jurisdiction is given to the agency, enforcement is woefully understaffed to handle it,” one says.

From Barron's