lack

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈlæk/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/læk/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(lak)

WordReference Collins English Usage © 2026
lack
Lack can be a noun or a verb.
used as a noun
If there is a lack of something, there is not enough of it, or it does not exist at all.
I hated the lack of privacy in the hostel.
used as a verb
If someone or something lacks a quality, they do not have it.
Often new mothers lack confidence in their ability to look after their newborn baby properly.
Our little car lacked the power to pass other cars.
Be careful
Don't say that someone or something ‘lacks of a quality’.
Be careful
You can't use a passive form of ‘lack’. Don't say, for example, ‘Resources are lacked in this school’. Say ‘This school lacks resources.’
'lack' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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