Lack (noun) — the absence or shortage of something needed or expected.
Lack (verb) — to be without something; to not have enough of something.
What Does Lack Mean?
Lack entered Middle English around the 13th century, most likely borrowed from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German lak, meaning "deficiency" or "fault". It replaced the older Old English word wana in many everyday contexts and has remained a core English word ever since. The pronunciation /læk/ rhymes with back, pack, and track.
As a noun, lack is almost always used in the pattern a lack of + noun: "a lack of confidence", "a lack of funding", "a lack of time". It names a deficiency — something that is needed but not present. As a verb, it takes a direct object without any preposition: "She lacks patience" (not "lacks of patience"). Both patterns are extremely frequent in British English writing and speech.
Knowing lack will help you in a wide range of contexts: discussing reasons for problems ("due to a lack of planning"), writing academic essays ("the study lacks external validity"), or everyday conversation ("I lack the energy to cook tonight"). It is also the root of the adjective lacking and appears in compound phrases such as for lack of a better word.
Example Sentences by CEFR Level
| Sentence | Level & note |
|---|---|
| There is a lack of chairs in this classroom. | A2 — noun, simple present; 'a lack of + countable noun' |
| A lack of vocabulary can prevent learners from expressing themselves clearly. | B1 — noun as subject; 'a lack of + uncountable noun' |
| The manager was criticised for lacking the communication skills required for the role. | B1 — verb in passive context; 'lack + direct object' |
| The report concluded that progress had been slow, largely due to a lack of political will. | B2 — noun in formal written register; 'due to a lack of' |
| The otherwise compelling argument was undermined by a conspicuous lack of empirical evidence to support its central claims. | C1 — noun in academic register; pre-modified with 'conspicuous' |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| lack of confidence | His lack of confidence held him back at interviews. |
| lack of experience | She was rejected due to a lack of relevant experience. |
| lack of funding | The project was cancelled because of a lack of funding. |
| lack of evidence | The case was dismissed for lack of evidence. |
| lack of sleep | A lack of sleep affects your ability to concentrate. |
| lack of motivation | Teachers often cite lack of motivation as a key challenge. |
| lack of support | Many students drop out due to a lack of support. |
| lack of awareness | There is a general lack of awareness about the issue. |
| lack of resources | Schools in rural areas often lack the resources found in cities. |
| for lack of a better word | It was, for lack of a better word, chaos. |
Usage Notes
Key Patterns to Remember
Noun pattern: a / the + lack + of + noun — "a lack of time", "the lack of clear leadership".
Verb pattern: subject + lack + direct object (no preposition) — "She lacks confidence." Never add "of" after the verb.
Formal phrase: for lack of + noun (without article) — "The plan was abandoned for lack of resources." This is a fixed, more formal variant common in journalism and law.
Continuous form: be lacking is used when describing a temporary or observable state — "Something seems to be lacking here" — but in formal writing the simple form is preferred.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She lacks of confidence.
She lacks confidence. (verb + direct object, no preposition)
Due to lack of the funding, the project stopped.
Due to a lack of funding, the project stopped. (use indefinite article 'a'; no 'the' before the noun directly)
The students are very lacking.
The students lack motivation. (specify what is lacking; 'lacking' alone without context sounds incomplete)