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lack

LAK/læk/

Plurallacks

Verblacks, lacking, lacked

7 meanings of lack

Practice

  1. 1
    shortagenouncountable or uncountable
    The state of having none or not enough of something you need or want.

    Like an empty fridge when you are hungry.

    The plants died from a lack of water.

    Her lack of sleep made her grumpy all day.

    UsageSay a lack of something: a lack of water, a lack of sleep.

    Similarshortage, absence, want, dearth, paucity

    Oppositesurplus, glut, plethora

    Note
  2. 2
    not haveverbtransitive or intransitive
    To not have something, or not have enough of something you need or want.

    Like a toolbox that is missing the one tool you need.

    I lack the time to finish this project today.

    Her speech lacked any real emotion.

    UsagePut the missing thing right after it: she lacks time (not incorrect: lacks of time).

  3. 3
    hundred thousandnounarchaicMyanmarSouth Asia
    Archaic form of lakh. An old way of writing the number one hundred thousand, used mostly for money in India.
    Note

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Origins

Meanings 1, 4

From an unrecorded Old English word meaning "deficiency" or "want," related to older Germanic words for something slack or low.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The proposed Old English noun *læc is reconstructed and unattested; its status should be stated. ans-names.pitt.edu
  • Lack is related to older Germanic words meaning slack or low. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 2, 5–6

From an Old English verb meaning "to blame, criticise, or lack," from older Germanic words meaning "to reproach" or "be lacking."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The verb lack derives from an Old English verb meaning to blame, criticise, or lack. en.wiktionary.org
  • The Old English verb derives from older Germanic forms meaning to reproach or be lacking. en.wiktionary.org