English Reference
Word noun · verb

lack

n. · v.
US /ˈɫæk/ UK /lˈæk/ lack UK spelling lacked, lacks
Definition
  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.a situation where you do not have something, or you do not have enough of it.

    n.the state of being without or having an insufficient quantity of something necessary or desirable.

    Simple

    “The project failed because of a lack of money and time.”

    In context

    “The committee expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the selection process, suggesting it might undermine public trust.”

    Usage

    As a noun, it is frequently followed by the preposition 'of'.

    Pitfall
    There is a lack about communication in the office. There is a lack of communication in the office.

    The noun 'lack' is almost always followed by the preposition 'of'.

    Synonyms
    shortagedearthabsencescarcity
    Antonyms
    abundancesurplusplenty
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.to not have something that you need or that would be helpful.

    v.to be without or deficient in something; functions as a stative verb.

    Simple

    “He is very smart, but he lacks the confidence to speak in public.”

    In context

    “While the novel is technically proficient, it lacks the emotional depth required to truly resonate with a modern audience.”

    Usage

    This is a stative verb and is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form.

    Teacher's tip

    Remind students that while the noun takes 'of', the verb takes a direct object with no preposition.

    Pitfall
    He lacks of the experience for this job. He lacks the experience for this job.

    Unlike the noun, the verb 'lack' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'of'.

    Synonyms
    wantneedrequire
    Antonyms
    possesshave

Usage lack of access · lack of accountability · lack of transparency

Etymology
Etymology 1

From Middle English lack, lakke, lak, from Old English læc (“deficiency, lack, want”), from Proto-West Germanic lak, from Proto-Germanic laką, lakaz (“slackness”), from Proto-Germanic lakaz (“limp, slack, loose, low”), related to lak(k)ōną (“to blame, reproach”), from Proto-Indo-European *lok-néh₂-. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Lak (“lack”), Middle Low German lack, lak (“lack”), Dutch lak (“lack, deficiency, calumny”), Icelandic lakur (“lacking”). Related also to Middle Dutch laken (“to blame, lack”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English carence (“absence, lack”), from Old French carence.

Etymology 2

From Middle English lacken, lakken, laken, from Old English læccian, lacian (“to blame, criticise, lack”), from Proto-West Germanic lak(k)ōn (“to blame, be lacking”), from Proto-Germanic lak(k)ōną (“to reproach, blame, be lacking”), from Proto-Indo-European lok-néh₂-. Cognate with Old Frisian lakia, lekia (“to contest, blame”), Middle Low German lacken, laken (“to reproach, blame, criticise”), Middle Dutch laken (“to disapprove, blame, lack”), Dutch laken (“to blame, reproach”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *lok-néh₂-
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated