Maize (Zea mays l.) is predominantly produced in rained systems in Ethiopia. Despite the increasing efforts of dry season maize production using irrigation, there is a growing water scarcity and competition for irrigation water. Hence, improving irrigation water use efficiency through improved irrigation techniques becomes an important strategy. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of deficit irrigation on growth, yield, and water use efficiency of maize in Gazhen-Fuafuat kebele Fogera woreda, nort west Ethiopia. A field experiment was carried out during 2019/20 dry season with different levels of irrigation for a suitable maize variety (Zea mays L. variety BH-540) in the study area. The experimental design was random complete block design with four treatments in three replications. The four reatments are: Deficit irrigation at 55% ETc, 70% ETc, 85% ETc and Full irrigation determined by CROPWAT 8.0 software. Except irrigation water use efficiency the higher value of treatment variables was obtained at 100% ETc irrigation leve and the lower value of treatment variables was obtained at 55% ETc. But the higher irrigation water use efficiency was obtained at 70% ETc irrigation level and the lower value of irrigation water use efficiency was obtained at 100% ETc. The analysis of variance result showed that all growth and yield components, grain yield and irrigation water use efficiency were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the levels of irrigation application. All treatment variables except irrigation water use efficiency increased with an increasing irrigation water level, but irrigation water use efficiency was decreased as irrigation water level increase. This experiment showed that deficit irrigation at 55% ETc is found to be ineffective that would reduce both crop growth and grain production of maize. In addition under scarce water condition, applying 70% ETc saved 30% irrigation water without significantly reducing the yield. The water saved through applying deficit irrigation enabled to irrigate additional land. Key words: Maize; Water use efficiency; Deficit irrigation; Harvest index; CROPWAT 8.0;