lacking

American  

[lak-ing] / ˈlæk ɪŋ /

preposition

1. being without; not having; wanting; less.

   Lacking equipment, the laboratory couldn't undertake the research project.

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adjective

1. wanting; deficient.

   He was found lacking in stamina.

Etymology

Origin of lacking

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; lack + -ing ²

Explanation

If something's lacking, there's not enough of it. Your new house may be lacking when it comes to comfortable chairs, leading your friends to lounge on the floor instead. If there's a shortage of something, it's lacking. You might also describe something that's deficient — or not quite good enough — as lacking. If a substitute teacher is lacking in skill when it comes to controlling a rowdy class, he'll be exhausted by the end of his first day on the job. Finally, you can use this word in the sense of "absent": If your older brother's appetite is lacking, he might be coming down with something — usually he can eat an entire pizza on his own.

Example Sentences

But many of Musk’s longtime associates are, including some who have faced criticism in the past for lacking true independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

In the weeks leading to Thursday's curtain call, 62-year-old Colbert has at times cut a subdued figure, lacking some of his usual cheerful flair.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

The review, led by former John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield, found the system was "not working as intended", with most GPs lacking the training and time to assess someone's ability to work.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Miles Lockwood from the ASA said the posts were banned for lacking evidence.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

But to the south lay 2,000 miles of country thinly occupied by Khoisan hunter-gatherers, lacking iron and crops.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• flawed
• inadequate
• incomplete