lack

1. 1

   A deficiency or need (of something desirable or necessary); an absence, want, dearth.countableuncountable

   • It is a question of money, or lack of same.
2. 2

   A defect or failing; moral or spiritual degeneracy.countableobsoleteuncountable

   • In the old days, to my commonplace and unobserving mind, he gave no evidences of genius whatsoever. He never read me any of his manuscripts, […], and therefore my lack of detection of his promise may in some degree be pardoned.

syn. dearth · deficiency · deficit · dejection · inadequacy · infrequency · insufficiency · meagerness · nonsufficiency · lack · paucity · penury

ant. adequacy · excess

1. 1

   To be without, not to have, to need, to require.stativetransitive

   • My life lacks excitement.
2. 2

   To be short (of or for something).intransitive

   • He'll never lack for company while he's got all that money.
3. 3

   To be in want.intransitiveobsolete

   • The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger […]
4. 4

   To see the deficiency in (someone or something); to find fault with, to malign, reproach.obsolete

   • That is Mede þe Mayde quod she · hath noyed me ful oft / And ylakked my lemman.
5. 5

   To be off one's guard.

   • His opps caught him lacking.

1. 1

   Archaic form of lakh.alt-ofarchaic

   • a lack of rupees

syn. dearth · deficiency · deficit · dejection · inadequacy · infrequency · insufficiency · meagerness · nonsufficiency · lack · paucity · penury

ant. adequacy · excess