lack
gb/lˈæk/ us/lˈæk/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
state
1
absence or shortage of something
When there is not enough of something important or needed.
Usage pattern:
a lack of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'of' after 'lack' when used as a noun, e.g., saying 'a lack resources' instead of 'a lack of resources'.
Synonyms
shortage (Often used for a temporary or specific insufficiency, especially in resources or goods.)
|
absence (Emphasizes complete nonexistence rather than insufficiency.)
Antonyms
abundance (Indicates a large quantity, the opposite of shortage or insufficiency.)
|
plenty (Informal term meaning more than enough of something.)
Collocations
lack of experience
|lack of resources
|lack of communication
|lack of support
|lack of interest
Themes
daily life
|business
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The project was delayed due to a lack of funding.
- Her lack of confidence made public speaking difficult.
- They canceled the event because of a lack of interest from the community.
- A lack of sleep can affect your health.
- There is a serious lack of affordable housing in the city.
Learner examples
- I have a lack of time.
- There is a lack of food in the house.
- He has a lack of friends in this city.
- We have a lack of chairs for the meeting.
Verb
A2
state
2
to not have enough of something
To not have something important or needed.
Usage pattern:
to lack [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'lack' with 'of' when it is a verb, which is incorrect (e.g., 'He lacks of experience' instead of 'He lacks experience').
Synonyms
be without (Plain description of not possessing something.)
|
miss (Can mean to be without, but also to feel the absence emotionally.)
Antonyms
possess (Indicates having something, often tangible.)
|
have (General verb for owning or containing something.)
Collocations
lack experience
|lack resources
|lack understanding
|lack skills
Themes
daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Many students lack basic math skills.
- The team lacks motivation to finish the project.
- He lacks the patience required for this job.
- They lacked the necessary equipment to continue.
- Some areas still lack access to clean water.
Learner examples
- I lack money now.
- She lacks time to study.
- We lack chairs for the guests.
- They lack food and water.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lack
IPA
GB/lˈæk/
US/lˈæk/
Syllables & stress
lack (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lack)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lack
Verb
- Base: lack
- 3rd Person Singular: lacks
- Present Participle: lacking
- Past: lacked
Word family
Forms
lacks
verb
lacking
verb
lacked
verb
Expressions
for lack of
1/fɚ lˈæk əv/
fixed phrase
because something is missing
Because there is not enough of something needed.
Examples
- The game was canceled for lack of players.
- For lack of better options, we stayed at a cheap hotel.
lack for nothing
1/lˈæk fɚ nˈʌθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
to have all that is needed
To have everything you need and want.
Examples
- During her childhood, she lacked for nothing.
- They live comfortably and lack for nothing.