English - Etymology

Apparently cognate with Middle Low German lak, Middle Dutch lac (modern lak (“calumny”)), Old Norse lakr (“lacking”), ultimately all from Proto-Germanic *laka-.

English - Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /lak/
• (US) IPA^(key): /læk/
• Rhymes: -æk

English - Noun

lack (plural lacks)

1. (obsolete) A defect or failing; moral or spiritual degeneracy.
2. A deficiency or need (of something desirable or necessary); an absence, want.
   • Shakespeare

     Let his lack of years be no impediment.

   • 1994, Green Day, Basket Case

     I went to a shrink, to analyze my dreams. He said it's lack of sex that's bringing me down.

Antonyms

• glut
• surplus

Translations

English - Verb

lack (third-person singular simple present lacks, present participle lacking, simple past and past participle lacked)

1. (transitive) To be without, to need, to require.

   My life lacks excitement.

2. (intransitive) To be short (of or for something).

   He'll never lack for company while he's got all that money.

   • Shakespeare

     What hour now? I think it lacks of twelve.

3. (intransitive) To be in want.
   • Bible, Psalms xxxiv. 10

     The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger.

Translations

Related terms

• lackluster

English - Anagrams

• calk

Swedish - Noun

lack

قافية