Advertisement

View synonyms for

lack

[ lak ]

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: , , , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. something missing or needed:

    After he left, they really felt the lack.



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: ,

  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. to be short of or deficient in:

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

lack

/ æ /

noun

  1. an insufficiency, shortage, or absence of something required or desired
  2. something that is required but is absent or in short supply
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. whenintr, often foll by in or for to be deficient (in) or have need (of)

    to lack purpose

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lack1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lack1

C12: related to Middle Dutch laken to be wanting
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Our analysis found that behind some of the large numbers, there is a lack of evidence to back them up.

From

The judge said the child lacked "basic parental attachment" but did not make a finding on the cause.

From

“Our client remains confident that these claims, like the myriad others he has filed, will be found to lack merit in a court or by an arbitrator.”

From

If policy rests upon transparently flawed economic reasoning or arbitrary distinctions lacking rational explanation, courts not only have the authority but also the constitutional duty to intervene.

From

An investigation said the artworks were stored in a basement during renovations and a lack of guidelines for storing the artworks could have been among the reasons why they ended up being thrown away.

From

Advertisement

Discover More

When To Use

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 .

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


lac insectlackadaisical