lack

1 of 2

verb

ˈlak 

lacked; lacking; lacks

intransitive verb

1

: to be deficient or missing

time is lacking for a full explanation

2

: to be short or have need of something

he will not lack for advisers

The area does not lack for good restaurants.

transitive verb

: to stand in need of : suffer from the absence or deficiency of

lack the necessities of life

She lacked confidence.

lack

2 of 2

noun

1

: the fact or state of being wanting or deficient

a lack of evidence

2

: something that is lacking or is needed

Synonyms

Noun

• absence
• dearth
• want

Examples of lack in a Sentence

Verb

His book lacks any coherent structure.

They lack a good strategy for winning the election.

This painting lacks any artistic value.

She has never been accused of lacking confidence.

Many of these people lack the basic necessities of life.

Noun

The problem is a lack of money.

She has been suffering from a lack of sleep lately.

Her problem is lack of sleep.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Expertise Newer firms often lack the industry knowledge and established relationships with distilleries and brokers that are essential for sourcing premium casks and providing informed advice. —Nick Green, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

Shortly after, a group of unions representing government workers, the state of Washington and nonprofit organizations challenged the mass firings, arguing that OPM lacked the authority to order agencies to carry them out. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025

Noun

There are also fears that the lack of restrictions of cuts to discretionary spending means the stopgap bill could allow the Trump administration to cut administrative expenses at the agencies responsible for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Zoom in: The lack of integration was most clearly seen during a blind taste test in 2023, when food service leaders from both companies tried pizza from Maverik and Kum & Go to determine which one should be used in stores moving forward. —Linh Ta, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English lak; akin to Middle Dutch lak lack, Old Norse lakr defective

First Known Use

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lack

• for lack of
• it is not for lack/want of trying
• lack of action
• lack thereof
• lack/want for nothing
• no lack of

Rhymes for lack

• ack
• brack
• clack
• crack
• dak
• flack
• flak
• hack
• jack
• knack
• lac
• lak

Kids Definition

lack

1 of 2 verb

ˈlak 

1

: to be missing

2

: to need, want, or be short of

lacks money

lack

2 of 2 noun

1

: the fact or state of being absent or in short supply

2

: something that is lacking or is needed