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 of lack

Noun

• absence

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

Those are among the findings of a new report from the Police Commission’s Office of the Inspector General, which found that the department lacks a system for tracking employees who train with law enforcement agencies from around the world. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Raman said housing costs are pushing families out of Los Angeles, the homelessness system lacks clear accountability, and residents don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026

Noun

Corruption, lack of opportunity, gentrification, and the displacement of communities have forced thousands of young Puerto Ricans to leave their island behind. —Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

Taken together, these factors can lead to children wheezing and experiencing difficulty breathing, leaving them with bluish colored skin from a lack of oxygen. —Michael Cromer, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026

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 of consensus
• lack thereof
• lack/want for nothing
• lack/want of trying
• 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