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

When representatives recovered 15 boxes from Trump's home in January 2022, officials found a mess of disorganized papers lacking any inventory. —Maegan Vazquez The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2025

The Padres would be OK with that; before the pair of recent signings, the organization lacked starting depth at the back of its rotation and at its El Paso affiliate. —Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025

Noun

Some college presidents decide to weather the storm, hoping to placate enough constituents so that the motion fails for a lack of votes. —Shaun Richman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025

Webster is a good example of how luck — or a lack of it — can have a huge impact on a player’s career. —Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 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

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