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

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

But surveys have also shown many reservists are unhappy with the cabinet's plans, some openly accusing the government of lacking a cohesive strategy, a post-war plan for Gaza or a clear benchmark for victory. —Emily Rose, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

But subsequent developments have been lacking. —David Brennan, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025

Noun

John Greenway, Managing Partner, founded the firm in 2017 to address abusive creditor behavior and the general lack of support for debtors, a philosophy that the company still follows. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025

Renken attributed the lack of work to his conflicts over funding and lab space in the early 2000s, according to the report. —Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 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