lack

Definitions

1. noun

   A shortage or complete absence of something needed.

   Examples

   • Lack of sleep made him cranky.
   • The plants died because of a lack of water.
   ≈paucity≠glut≠surplus≠plethora
2. noun

   A weakness or fault in someone.

   Examples

   • His lack of empathy troubled his colleagues.
   • She was upset by her own lack of patience.
3. verb

   To not have something you need.

   Examples

   • The team lacks experience in this area.
   • He lacks the confidence to speak in public.
4. verb

   To be short of something.

   Examples

   • He will never lack for company while he has all that money.
   • It lacks ten minutes of noon.
5. verb

   To be in need.

   Examples

   • The refugees lacked for nothing thanks to the relief effort.
   • During the famine, many families lacked badly.
6. verb

   In old-fashioned use, to find fault with someone.

   Examples

   • She lacked him for his careless mistakes.
   • The teacher lacked the student's messy handwriting.
7. verb

   In informal speech, to be unprepared.

   Examples

   • He was caught lacking when the question came up.
   • Do not get caught lacking during the exam.
8. noun

   An old spelling of lakh, a hundred thousand.

   Examples

   • The merchant's wealth was said to be several lack of rupees.
   • The old record listed the tax as one lack.