lack

American  

[lak] / læk /

noun

1. an absence or inadequate amount of something needed, desirable, or customary.

   We had to severely limit our holiday gift shopping due to lack of funds.

   Lack of skill is the main reason he didn’t get the job.

   Synonyms:

   need, want, insufficiency, deficit, paucity, scarcity, dearth

   Antonyms:

   surplus

2. something missing or needed.

   After he left, they really felt the lack.

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verb (used with object)

1. to be without or deficient in.

   She wants to become an actor, but unfortunately she lacks ability.

   Many of the villagers lacked even the basic necessities of life.

   Synonyms:

   need, want, want

2. to fall short of a target or requirement by (a particular amount).

   He lacks three votes to win.

verb (used without object)

1. to be absent or missing, as something needed or desirable.

   Three votes are lacking to make a majority.

verb phrase

1. lack in to be short of or deficient in.

   What he lacks in brains, he makes up for in brawn.

lack British  

/ læk /

noun

1. an insufficiency, shortage, or absence of something required or desired

2. something that is required but is absent or in short supply

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verb

1. to be deficient (in) or have need (of)

   to lack purpose

Usage

What are other ways to say lack? To lack something is to be without or deficient in it. How does lack compare to synonyms want, need, and require? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Etymology

Origin of lack

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English lak; cognate with Middle Low German lak, Middle Dutch lac “deficiency”; akin to Old Norse lakr “deficient”

Example Sentences

Smith says no boxer he has spoken to has ever taken the option to "top up" their insurance, and past attempts to create pensions were met with a lack of interest.

From BBC

California has some of the nation’s highest gas prices because of taxes, environmental requirements and a lack of refinery infrastructure in the state, which has helped push the state’s residents toward electric vehicles.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Even so, the lack of clarity about the negotiations’ actual progress keeps investors cautious,” the senior market analyst added.

From The Wall Street Journal

WTI, far from the action and lacking sulfur, can keep trading at huge discounts, Sen added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prof Orben says it is meant to address the current lack of quality data on both what impact social media currently has on children and what difference restricting it might make.

From BBC

Related Words

• absence
• dearth
• inadequacy
• loss
• paucity
• poverty
• reduction
• scarcity
• shortage
• shortcoming
• shortfall