lack
word
/ˈɫæk/
lak
/lˈæk/
lak
Definition
A lack is not having enough of something, or the absence of it. As a verb, to lack means to not have something that is needed or expected.
Usage & Nuances
Common in both formal and everyday English. Very frequent patterns are 'lack of + noun' and 'lack + noun'/'lack + object' as a verb: 'a lack of time', 'The team lacks experience'. It is more neutral and formal than 'don't have enough'. Be careful: we say 'lack confidence' and 'a lack of confidence', not usually 'lack of confidences'.
Spanish: falta - carecer dePortuguese (BR): falta - carecer dePortuguese (PT): falta - carecer deChinese (Simplified): 缺乏 - 不足Chinese (Traditional): 缺乏 - 不足Hindi: कमी - अभावArabic: نقص - يفتقر إلىBengali: অভাব - ঘাটতিRussian: нехватка - отсутствие - недоставатьJapanese: 不足 - 欠けるVietnamese: thiếu - sự thiếu hụtKorean: 부족 - 결핍Turkish: eksiklik - yokluk - eksik olmakUrdu: کمی - فقدانIndonesian: kekurangan
Example Sentences
The room lacks a window.
basic
Many plants die from a lack of water.
basic
He lacks experience in this job.
basic
What the plan lacks is a clear deadline.
natural
There's no lack of opinions online, that's for sure.
natural
She doesn't lack confidence, I'll give her that.
natural