Meaning of lack In English

• 0 the fact that something is not available or that there is not enough of it:

  • Her only problem is a lack of confidence.

  • Lack of sleep had made him irritable.

  • If he fails it won't be for/through lack of effort (= he has certainly tried).

  • We won't be going away this year - lack of funds, I'm afraid.

• 1 to not have or not have enough of something that is needed or wanted:

  • He just lacks a little confidence.

  • What we lack in this house is space to store things.

  • We are lacking three members of staff due to illness.

• 2 a condition of not having any or enough of something, esp. something necessary or wanted:

  • a lack of ambition/confidence/knowledge

  • a lack of money

  • She certainly has no lack of friends (= She has a lot of friends).

• 3 to not have any or enough of something, esp. something necessary or wanted:

  • What we lack in this house is space to store things.

  • He’s totally lacking a sense of humor.

• 4 a situation in which there is not enough of something, or something is not available:

  • serious/severe lack of sth Many of these communities are having to cope with a severe lack of resources.

  • "Lack of time" is frequently cited as the reason for poor-quality work.

• 5 to not have enough of something that is necessary:

  • Most of the candidates had the right qualifications but lacked the necessary skills.