lack1 nounlack2 verb
lacklack1 /læk/ ●●● S3 W2 noun [singular, uncountable] 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- She showed a complete lack of interest in her own baby.
- Daniel prefaces his interpretation with a review of Nebuchadnezzar's prideful fall from grace and Beishazzar's own lack of humility.
- I think a lot of people are surprised by my lack of being overwhelmed.
- I wonder if the company have any idea how much wildlife has been killed by the lack of water.
- Largely this arises from the lack of adequate time-series data on resource levels.
- The lack of comprehension can be attributed in part to the paucity of electronic commerce applications that the consumer has personally experienced.
- The lack of oxygen at this height saps power.
- The options never reached a vote, however, as the meeting was cancelled for lack of support!
- Tobaccocontrol advocates agree, saying their lack of vigilance in decades past had allowed the Tobacco Institute to gain power and influence.
Longman Language Activatornot enough
also insufficient not enough for what you need. insufficient is much more formal than not enough: · You're not getting enough sleep.not enough (something) to do something: · We didn't win enough games to get to the championship.· No matter how much money they offer me, it wouldn't be enough to make me like the job.· There was insufficient evidence to prove their allegations.not enough (something) for something: · There weren't enough apples for a pie, but they're good for eating.· Officials were worried that supplies would be insufficient for the long winter that was being predicted. not nearly enough/nowhere near enough (=much less than enough): · £1 million is not nearly enough to clean up the water in the bay.· The time they've given us is nowhere near enough.
less than you need or fewer than you need - use this especially when you are criticizing or complaining about something: · Some churches are in danger of closing because there are too few priests.· There is too little cooperation between the opposing parties to get anything done in government.too little/few to do something: · There's too little time to do everything.· There were some police officers there, but too few to control the crowd.far too little/few (=much too little or few): · Most of the students explained far too little about their research methods.
if something is scarce , there is not enough of it, so it is very difficult to get or buy: · During the war, things like clothes and shoes were scarce.· Cheap, clean hotel rooms are scarce in this city, especially in the summer.
an amount of something that is inadequate is not enough for a particular purpose: · The state pension is wholly inadequate -- no one can live on £50 a week.· Inadequate lighting made it difficult to continue the work after dinner.inadequate to do something: · The amount of fertilizer used was inadequate to ensure a good harvest.
formal not enough: · The bank charged me for having insufficient funds in my account.· There has been insufficient rainfall over the past two years, and farmers are having trouble.insufficient to do something: · The data we have is insufficient to draw any conclusions.
if a product is in short supply people cannot buy or get enough of it: · Health workers reported that medicines and basic equipment were in short supply.· The unemployment rate was at 2.5%, and talented job seekers were in short supply.
if there is a lack of something there is not enough of it, or none at all: · Fernando's eyes were red through lack of sleep.· It's lack of confidence, not lack of ability, that makes most people fail.· They threw the case out of court because of a lack of evidence.
if time or money is short , there is not as much of it as you would like: · Money's a little short this month -- we'd better be careful about spending.· The military authorities considered that the need for action was great, and time was short.
not enthusiastic · Are you sure you want to come? You don't sound very enthusiastic.unenthusiastic/not enthusiastic about · She had never been very enthusiastic about her job as a designer.distinctly unenthusiastic (=definitely unenthusiastic) · The staff were distinctly unenthusiastic about the whole idea.
without much enthusiasm or effort: · Her apology was very half-hearted.· People are starting to criticize the government for its half-hearted approach to reform.half-hearted attempt: · Yves had made a half-hearted attempt to be friendly.
if you say your heart's not in it , you mean you are not enthusiastic about something you are doing, especially because you are not interested in it any more or because you do not think it is worth doing: · I really loved teaching at first but my heart's not in it any more.· My heart's not in this job. In fact I hate it.
not enthusiastic about something that someone has suggested or done, especially because you do not think it is very good: · Their response to my idea was only lukewarm.lukewarm to/towards: · Research chief, Michael Greenall, said "I'm lukewarm toward the whole deal."lukewarm about: · Investment fund managers are a little lukewarm about the prospects of these bonds.lukewarm response/reaction etc: · Lester finished speaking, and there was a ripple of rather lukewarm applause.
if someone shows a lack of enthusiasm about something, they are not as enthusiastic about it as people expect them to be: a clear/distinct/marked lack of enthusiasm (=very definite and clear lack of enthusiasm): · Sam showed a distinct lack of enthusiasm when I told him my holiday plans.lack of enthusiasm for: · Many people displayed a lack of enthusiasm for the proposal.
: muted response/enthusiasm/reaction etc expressions of feelings which are not as enthusiastic as usual or as expected: · There was rather a muted response to the speech.· The Air Transport Association expressed muted support for the action.
lack of experience the fact of having little or no experience in a job or activity: · Because of my inexperience in the business, I think I trusted other people too much.· The inexperience of the teaching staff has taken its toll on student test scores.
the fact of not having enough experience in a job or activity: · I'm not worried about her lack of experience - we can easily train her.· Mallory's lack of political experience shows in some of the decisions he's made.
to not have something you need to not have something that you need, especially something that you need in order to do something: · Tom lacks confidence and needs a lot of encouragement.· They lived in appalling conditions, lacking even the most primitive sanitation.
if someone is without food, water, clothes, or other important things that they need, they do not have them: · Over a million people in the Sudan have been without supplies of food and water for several months.· Some towns are still without electricity after last week's storms.
to not have something that you usually have, for example food or sleep: · Lucas's soldiers had to go without food or water for several days.· New parents go without much sleep for at least the first few months. · There wasn't enough water to go around, and some people went without.
to live your life or do something you want to do without having something you need or without someone's help: · For three years I managed without pain-killing drugs.· From May to November it is very hot, but the schools do without air-conditioning.· Many of the young people here had never before had to do without.
if something happens through lack of a particular thing, it happens because there is not enough of that thing available or because there is none at all: · Crops and animals died through lack of rain.· The case was abandoned for lack of evidence.· We haven't yet quite succeeded, but not for want of trying.
not interested · I started telling them about my vacation, but they weren't very interested.· Helen tried to persuade her sister to come with us, but she just wasn't interested.not be interested in · I'm sure you're not interested in hearing me talk about my ex-boyfriends.
not interested and not wanting to know about something: · Morris appeared to be completely uninterested in any of the suggestions I made.· "Oh is that all?" she said in an uninterested tone of voice.uninterested in: · It's a pity that so many people are uninterested in science at school.
if a subject or activity does not interest you, you do not want to know about it or learn about it: · To be honest, politics doesn't interest me at all.· Everyone's always talking about the World Cup, but it just doesn't interest me.
to not be interested in something, and to not do or say anything that shows you are interested: · I try to talk to her about my work, but she shows no interest.· When we suggested going camping, no one expressed any interest.show/express no interest in: · A lot of people have been to look at the house, but they've shown no interest in buying it.
if there is a lack of interest in something, people are not interested in it, especially when you would expect them to be interested: · The boy replied with a complete lack of interest.lack of interest in: · A depressed person often shows self-pity and a lack of interest in the outside world.
someone who is apathetic about a particular activity or problem is not interested in it and does not care about it enough to try and change it: · Of course it matters whether you vote or not! Don't be so apathetic!apathetic about: · People must realize that we can't afford to be apathetic about environmental issues any longer.
informal if something leaves you cold , you do not feel at all interested in it, even though many other people are: · Why are people so crazy about opera? It leaves me completely cold.· All this talk about counselling and therapy left me cold.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives
an article bemoaning the lack of sports facilities in the area I was shocked by the doctor’s lack of compassion. a distinct lack of enthusiasm It was an example of the authorities’ lack of foresight. Steiner lamented the lack of public interest in the issue. a lamentable lack of support for the idea the humbleness and lack of pretension of Jordan’s cafe He showed a singular lack of tact in the way he handled the situation. Courage is a quality that is sorely lacking in world leaders today. Money, or the lack thereof, played a major role in their marital problems. He looked at her with a total lack of comprehension. At first there was a lack of trust between them.
when there is not enough of something, or none of it SYN shortage OPP surpluslack of· I was amazed by his almost total lack of interest in music.
· There is a relative lack of research into this medical condition.
(=very noticeable)· She looked at him with a marked lack of enthusiasm.
(=one that seems to exist)· Adam's apparent lack of concern angered his brother.
phrases (=there is plenty of it)· There is no lack of information on the subject.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· As a young man, he lacked the ability to say no.
· Many of the students lack ambition.
· I was frustrated by their apparent lack of ambition.
· Symptoms include fever and loss of appetite.· I’m a bit worried about her lack of appetite.
an article bemoaning the lack of sports facilities in the area· A lot of new buildings lack charm.
· I never get promoted because they think I lack commitment.
· His lack of commitment to the project was easy to see.
· Leaving the child alone in the car showed a lack of common sense.
· Disagreements are often due to a lack of communication.
I was shocked by the doctor’s lack of compassion.· Some staff members lacked the competence to deal with technical problems.
· A lack of concentration when you are driving can be fatal.
· the public’s lack of confidence in the National Health Service
· She lacked the confidence to talk to people.
· She had always suffered from insecurity and a lack of confidence.
· Nothing was done because of a lack of consensus on the matter.
· the lack of cooperation between the two countries
· He lacked the courage to look her full in the face.
· The new regime lacked credibility from the start.
· Many factories closed through lack of demand.
· The principal never tolerated a lack of discipline.
a distinct lack of enthusiasm· George’s apparent lack of emotion was too much to bear.
(=have no energy)· She lacked the energy to continue.
· Common symptoms include a loss of appetite and a lack of energy.
· My lack of enthusiasm for his suggestion made him angry.
· Children are becoming overweight through lack of exercise.
(=not have enough experience)· Some students lack experience writing essays.
· My colleagues kept making comments about about my lack of experience.
· Many men in their twenties lack experience and social skills.
· He was embarrassed about his lack of experience with women.
· The country lacks the expertise, equipment and finance to deal with the disaster.
· His lack of expertise in running such a large factory led to serious production problems.
· I was surprised at the lack of expression on his face.
It was an example of the authorities’ lack of foresight.· A lot of today's pop music seems to lack imagination.
· Their policies show a lack of imagination.
(=not have any good or interesting ideas)· His latest album appears to lack inspiration.
· He lacked the instinct to attack another human being.
· The show was cancelled due to a lack of interest on the part of the public.
Steiner lamented the lack of public interest in the issue. a lamentable lack of support for the idea· Rising sickness levels among your employees may show a loss of morale.
· The music lacks originality, but is fun and well-played.
the humbleness and lack of pretension of Jordan’s cafe· 40 percent of the prisoners lack any qualifications.
· They blame youth crime on unemployment and lack of respect for the law.
He showed a singular lack of tact in the way he handled the situation. (=not have a skill)· He lacked both the skills and the confidence to take on the job.
Courage is a quality that is sorely lacking in world leaders today. Money, or the lack thereof, played a major role in their marital problems. He looked at her with a total lack of comprehension. At first there was a lack of trust between them.· He lacked the will to resist.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· But what worried him most was the apparent lack of breathing or pulse.· Does their apparent lack of progress speak to their shortcomings as candidates?· The apparent lack of multiple entry and exit gates on the crowd side of the airfield was bound to cause problems.· No harm was done by the apparent lack of male influence.· Substitute anxiety in the spectator, he wrote, brought about by nothing other than the apparent lack of anxiety in the image.· Further inflexibility is apparent in the lack of spare accommodation.· One of the recurring discussion points was the apparent lack of communication skills teaching for nursing staff.· Adam's apparent lack of concern enraged Mike, as hurt by his brother's treachery as he was by the theft.
· I longed to ask questions but was wary of revealing my complete lack of local knowledge.· Communications difficulties contributed greatly to a complete lack of coordination of efforts.· It is one of the most popular rasboras despite complete lack of any bright colours.· Due to a complete lack of interest in reading, our staff has decided to forego reviewing books this week.· It was not wickedness that led him into crime but a cheerfully impulsive nature and an almost complete lack of reasoning power.· The older boy went blind in a complete lack of interest.· People still pay up despite the complete lack of ghosts.· Loss of concentration, a complete lack of ability to focus, was the chief occupational hazard of the trading floor.
· Without much outright horsepower-a distinct lack of brawn-the Porsche should be driven with brains.· There seems to be a distinct lack of aggression or passion.· There were far fewer flags, a distinct lack of appetite for celebration.
· It is not the case that there is a general lack of skills.· The world of sport shares this general lack of understanding.· Once in the classroom the teacher is restricted by the core curriculum and general workload and lack of equipment.· A general lack of understanding of factor analysis, however, weakened the impact of the study and its effect was minimal.· Traders get away with such cruel treatment because of the general lack of control and concern on the part of airlines and airports.· One might be rather less charitable and argue that the lack of interest reflects a general lack of computer awareness.· A general lack of confidence is noticeable as a result.
· This may be related to a relative lack of social stability: being more frequently single and in less permanent accommodation.· The relative lack of input from Texas means a relative lack of interest from the candidates.· Proof of this may be demonstrated by the relative lack of pleasure when smoking a cigarette with one's eyes shut.· The relative lack of input from Texas means a relative lack of interest from the candidates.· These factors may have contributed markedly to the relative lack of success of the minor marriages.· From this position there is a relative lack of regard for the Symbolic order.· The lesson, the drama, the learning all appear to be at risk because of the relative lack of structure.· They say they consider him uncorrupted, and are impressed by his relative lack of political ambition.
· Midge's total lack of emotion prevented him from sharing his own grief with her and he found that unbearable.· When a compliment like that is based upon a total lack of information it seems like a kind of mockery.· Everywhere there is a total lack of understanding about hygiene, antisepsis, and the importance of sanitation.· The rustic music they created has a timeless appeal, both in its deceptive simplicity and total lack of pretension.· He saw that honesty and within it somehow, a total lack of the cynicism that had marred his own life.· There are problems that call for imagination and ingenuity, and there are others that call for a total lack of it.· They have shown a total lack of interest in joint action in the face of rising fuel prices.· Tioman's greatest attraction is the almost total lack of anything to do.
new parents suffering from lack of sleep Too many teachers are treated with a lack of respect. comments based on a total lack of information Does their apparent lack of progress mean they are not doing their job properly? tours that are cancelled for lack of bookings There was no lack of willing helpers. health problems linked to poor diet and a relative lack of exerciseCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa complete/total lack of something· I was amazed by his almost total lack of interest in music.a relative/comparative lack of something· There is a relative lack of research into this medical condition.a distinct/marked/conspicuous lack of something (=very noticeable)· She looked at him with a marked lack of enthusiasm.an apparent lack of something (=one that seems to exist)· Adam's apparent lack of concern angered his brother.phrasesthere is no lack of something (=there is plenty of it)· There is no lack of information on the subject.lack1 nounlack2 verb
lacklack2 ●●○ W3 verb WORD ORIGINlack2
Origin:
1200-1300 Middle Dutch lakenVERB TABLE
lack
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | lack |
| he, she, it | lacks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | lacked |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have lacked |
| he, she, it | has lacked | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had lacked |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will lack |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have lacked |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am lacking |
| he, she, it | is lacking | |
| you, we, they | are lacking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was lacking |
| you, we, they | were lacking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been lacking |
| he, she, it | has been lacking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been lacking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be lacking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been lacking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Glenn has the discipline that Forman lacks.
- He lacked the energy to argue with him.
- Kevin lacks a willingness to try new things.
- Many people lack adequate pension arrangements.
- They lived in appalling conditions, lacking even the most primitive sanitation.
- Tom lacks confidence and needs a lot of encouragement.
- And so she lacked the seniority to get into that high or into that new school.
- And the Ports have lacked real aggression in midfield since McCreadie's departure!
- And yet they have lacked enough concentration to lose five games.
- Fourth, the fund may lack the accounting systems and performance measurement techniques to incorporate futures, so discouraging their use.
- However, our real weakness is not that we lack the potential, but that we lack the will to act.
- I think I lacked inner peace.
- Napoleon lacked up-to-the-minute information at the crucial moment; he didn't know what Bluücher was doing.
- Obviously, even parents who have lacked early contact with their infants after hospital births generally become bonded to their babies.
Longman Language Activatornot confident
to not be confident about your abilities or appearance: · Francine lacks confidence and needs a lot of encouragement and support.· I was fat, had no friends, and lacked confidence.· While girls lack confidence, boys often overestimate their abilities.
to stop feeling confident, especially after making a mistake: · "How was your driving test?" "Terrible - I made one small mistake, and then I just lost confidence."· People tend to lose confidence if they've been out of work for a while.
to not be confident, especially because you are young or you do not have much experience: · At first, Chris seemed nervous and unsure of herself.· He was only 21 and still very unsure of himself with girls.
not confident about making decisions, trying new experiences, or forming new relationships, especially because you are worried that you are not good enough: · Ben's parents' divorce left him lonely and insecure.insecure about: · Even though she's a model, she's very insecure about how she looks.
if a person or a group of people are demoralized , they have lost all their confidence that they can succeed at something and are unwilling to continue with it: · a demoralized work force· Many employees became demoralized and cynical when the company announced another round of job cuts.utterly/thoroughly demoralized: · The team was a wreck - thoroughly demoralized after a humiliating season.
not confident about something you are trying to achieve, because you have had difficulty achieving it: · I was very discouraged at the time, but I still hoped we could find a solution.get/become discouraged: · Students with learning difficulties who do not have a dedicated teacher can become discouraged very easily.discouraged by: · Discouraged by her failed marriages, she gradually withdrew from the world.discouraged about: · Hartman was so discouraged about the way his performing career was going, that he gave up acting for writing.
not experienced in a particular job or activity someone who is inexperienced does not know much about a job or activity, either because they have not done it at all or because they have done it for only a short time: · Inexperienced managers often have problems with their staff.· There are a lot of young, inexperienced players on the team.
to not have enough experience of doing a particular job or activity: · I know Sally lacks experience, but she's tremendously enthusiastic.lack experience of British: · If Glover lacks experience of management, why was he put in charge?lack experience doing something American: · He clearly lacked experience speaking before large groups.
if you are new to a job or activity, you do not have much experience of doing it because you have only just started it: · As you are new to the job, we don't expect you to work as fast as the others.be new to the game (=to have no experience of an activity or a business): · They're new to the software game, so they're spending a lot on advertising.
someone who is untrained is doing a job or activity that they have not yet been officially taught to do: · Untrained nurses are not allowed to treat patients who are seriously ill.untrained in: · The records are confusing to anyone untrained in accounting.
American someone who is still new and inexperienced in an activity or job, especially in a sport, the army, or the police: · Don't be too hard on the guy, he's just a rookie.rookie pitcher/quarterback/agent/coach etc: · Mariucci is the first rookie coach in NFL history to win 11 games in a row.
someone who has just started doing a particular job or activity and has very little or no experience: · The Eiger is a difficult mountain to climb. Novices should not attempt it.novice to: · If you're a novice to working with computer graphics, you should buy this CD-ROM.novice skier/user/driver etc: · Novice drivers are responsible for a large portion of all accidents.
people who have no experience or knowledge of a difficult subject or skill - used in formal or humorous situations: to/for the uninitiated: · To the uninitiated, most computer systems seem complex and difficult to understand.· The classes are designed for the uninitiated, starting with the basics of car mechanics.
to not have something you need to not have something that you need, especially something that you need in order to do something: · Tom lacks confidence and needs a lot of encouragement.· They lived in appalling conditions, lacking even the most primitive sanitation.
if someone is without food, water, clothes, or other important things that they need, they do not have them: · Over a million people in the Sudan have been without supplies of food and water for several months.· Some towns are still without electricity after last week's storms.
to not have something that you usually have, for example food or sleep: · Lucas's soldiers had to go without food or water for several days.· New parents go without much sleep for at least the first few months. · There wasn't enough water to go around, and some people went without.
to live your life or do something you want to do without having something you need or without someone's help: · For three years I managed without pain-killing drugs.· From May to November it is very hot, but the schools do without air-conditioning.· Many of the young people here had never before had to do without.
if something happens through lack of a particular thing, it happens because there is not enough of that thing available or because there is none at all: · Crops and animals died through lack of rain.· The case was abandoned for lack of evidence.· We haven't yet quite succeeded, but not for want of trying.
to not have a particular substance, quality, feature etc also haven't got especially British · He doesn't have much of a sense of humor.· Her little girl doesn't seem to have any fear at all.· It doesn't really have any practical use.· She said she hasn't got as much pain in her leg as she used to.
if someone or something lacks a particular substance, quality, feature, or ability, they have never had it: · He lacked the energy to argue with him.· Many people lack adequate pension arrangements.· Glenn has the discipline that Forman lacks.
not having or containing a particular substance, feature etc: · "With or without sugar?'' "Without, please!''· "Gourmet Food without Salt" is aimed at people with high-blood pressure.· He was without any sense whatsoever.
use this to describe the things that a place or thing does not have: · There aren't enough ladies' rooms at the stadium.· There wasn't a decent restaurant for miles.
if a product, food, or drink is free from a substance, especially one that is harmful, it does not contain that substance: · The new shampoo uses only natural products and is completely free from artificial colouring and preservatives.· Organic produce is free from harmful chemicals.
: sugar-free/fat-free/lead-free etc not containing sugar, fat, lead etc - use this especially about things that have been deliberately made this way: · a sugar-free soft drink· It looks like wine and tastes like wine, but it's almost alcohol-free.
without any purpose something that is pointless has no purpose and makes you angry or sad: · a film full of pointless violence· Never give your students pointless exercises to do -- always provide interesting, meaningful tasks.be pointless to do something: · It is pointless to argue about who is more to blame.
not having any purpose or plan and therefore boring or sad: · The novel seems aimless, and the characters are stereotypes.· She changed from an aimless, pregnant teenager into a purposeful young woman.
a crime or something bad that is senseless seems to have no meaning or purpose and you cannot understand why someone would do it: · It was a senseless and cruel murder.· Smashing up trains is such a senseless form of vandalism.· The suicide was described as a senseless waste of a young woman's life.
without any meaning or purpose and therefore boring, sad, or having no effect: · a meaningless campaign pledge· So many of us spend our lives doing meaningless work in huge faceless companies.· Several companies dismissed the ruling as "meaningless," saying it would have no effect on their operations.
also lack of direction if something lacks direction or has a lack of direction , it does not have a clear purpose and is not well organized: · It could have been a good film, but I felt it lacked direction.· He quit over the company's lack of direction.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES an article bemoaning the lack of sports facilities in the area I was shocked by the doctor’s lack of compassion. a distinct lack of enthusiasm It was an example of the authorities’ lack of foresight. Steiner lamented the lack of public interest in the issue. a lamentable lack of support for the idea the humbleness and lack of pretension of Jordan’s cafe He showed a singular lack of tact in the way he handled the situation. Courage is a quality that is sorely lacking in world leaders today. Money, or the lack thereof, played a major role in their marital problems. He looked at her with a total lack of comprehension. At first there was a lack of trust between them.
· As a young man, he lacked the ability to say no.
· Many of the students lack ambition.
· I was frustrated by their apparent lack of ambition.
· Symptoms include fever and loss of appetite.· I’m a bit worried about her lack of appetite.
an article bemoaning the lack of sports facilities in the area· A lot of new buildings lack charm.
· I never get promoted because they think I lack commitment.
· His lack of commitment to the project was easy to see.
· Leaving the child alone in the car showed a lack of common sense.
· Disagreements are often due to a lack of communication.
I was shocked by the doctor’s lack of compassion.· Some staff members lacked the competence to deal with technical problems.
· A lack of concentration when you are driving can be fatal.
· the public’s lack of confidence in the National Health Service
· She lacked the confidence to talk to people.
· She had always suffered from insecurity and a lack of confidence.
· Nothing was done because of a lack of consensus on the matter.
· the lack of cooperation between the two countries
· He lacked the courage to look her full in the face.
· The new regime lacked credibility from the start.
· Many factories closed through lack of demand.
· The principal never tolerated a lack of discipline.
a distinct lack of enthusiasm· George’s apparent lack of emotion was too much to bear.
(=have no energy)· She lacked the energy to continue.
· Common symptoms include a loss of appetite and a lack of energy.
· My lack of enthusiasm for his suggestion made him angry.
· Children are becoming overweight through lack of exercise.
(=not have enough experience)· Some students lack experience writing essays.
· My colleagues kept making comments about about my lack of experience.
· Many men in their twenties lack experience and social skills.
· He was embarrassed about his lack of experience with women.
· The country lacks the expertise, equipment and finance to deal with the disaster.
· His lack of expertise in running such a large factory led to serious production problems.
· I was surprised at the lack of expression on his face.
It was an example of the authorities’ lack of foresight.· A lot of today's pop music seems to lack imagination.
· Their policies show a lack of imagination.
(=not have any good or interesting ideas)· His latest album appears to lack inspiration.
· He lacked the instinct to attack another human being.
· The show was cancelled due to a lack of interest on the part of the public.
Steiner lamented the lack of public interest in the issue. a lamentable lack of support for the idea· Rising sickness levels among your employees may show a loss of morale.
· The music lacks originality, but is fun and well-played.
the humbleness and lack of pretension of Jordan’s cafe· 40 percent of the prisoners lack any qualifications.
· They blame youth crime on unemployment and lack of respect for the law.
He showed a singular lack of tact in the way he handled the situation. (=not have a skill)· He lacked both the skills and the confidence to take on the job.
Courage is a quality that is sorely lacking in world leaders today. Money, or the lack thereof, played a major role in their marital problems. He looked at her with a total lack of comprehension. At first there was a lack of trust between them.· He lacked the will to resist.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· An admirable state of mind that is sorely lacking these days.
NOUN· Capacity Certain persons lack the legal capacity to make a contract.· Man, however, lacks the emotional capacity of woman, and can stand free of sentimental attachments or hurts.· Using wholly incompatible weapons systems and riven by language difficulties, the troops lack the capacity to fight as coordinated units.· They lack the capacity to depict depth and perspective and provide no sense of history.· On the other hand, let it be supposed that she lacked ordinary competence and capacity.· And what if you lacked the capacity to delude yourself?· Both often lack the capacity or willingness to fulfil their legal responsibilities.· In this view, decision makers lack the cognitive capacity and the comprehensive information that would enable them to calculate utilities rationally.
· They may lack the confidence, the self-esteem, to venture into libraries.· But he does not lack confidence or sense of manifest Elvis destiny.· Maybe I lacked confidence - I didn't consider I possessed the degree of presence you need as the vital link-man.· But because men lack the experience and confidence, infant care training can help.· They lacked confidence in their own values.· But Pataki does not appear to lack confidence that he can create yet another success that other states would wish to emulate.· We all worry about what other people think of us and being shy doesn't automatically mean we lack confidence.· Yet the parents knew their children lacked confidence.
· But away from the controlling mythology of the Western, his blood-dimmed vision lacked the same conviction.· The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.· But the letter, a social obligation too promptly performed, had lacked conviction.· One major factor, of course, was that the possible alternatives seemed enfeebled and lacking in conviction.· The trouble with this remarkable change of character is that Swayze simply lacks conviction.· There is no iron in the new faith because it lacks personal conviction.· Now, fortunately, the worst lack all conviction too.· But it must be admitted that the interpretation of the earlier building as a temple lacks conviction.
· But when the Futurist painting manifestos appeared early in 1910 the work of the painters themselves still lacked a sense of direction.· In the absence of planning there would be considerable frustration and pupils' activities would lack direction.· Douglas Hurd has proved a reassuring figure in a campaign that has at times seemed to lack confidence and direction.
· He entirely lacks financial and business experience.· But because men lack the experience and confidence, infant care training can help.· They lack experience, principle and vision.· Once in office, however, the Clinton adminstration was quickly accused of being too young and lacking in experience.· The view that they lack work experience is contradicted by a substantial body of evidence.· In addition, he lacked experience in the vital sphere of foreign affairs.· Roache and Kolender dismiss Ruff as a well-spoken and nice man who lacks the management experience to be sheriff.
· Many old brokers were unable to become independent advisers because they lacked the expertise and resources to win authorisation.· You may see areas where you have responsibilities but in fact lack adequate expertise.· But certain teachers may lack the competence and expertise to avoid controversy completely.· M.P.s may lack the necessary expertise to scrutinise it effectively and may lack the necessary independent information. 4.· Doctors may not, for example, be happy with, interference in their work by somebody who lacks their medical expertise.
· City were content to sit back on their lead, and Newcastle lacked the pace or imagination to break them down.· But thus far it lacks the imagination and leadership.· Her play seems to lack imagination and she is manifestly terrified of Keith.· Both Wellington and Harriett lacked imagination but relied instead on keen observation.· Ards lacked imagination and drive against an inexperienced Town side, and had a lucky escape in the first minute.
· New theories about education challenged women's intellectual credentials since most of them lacked a knowledge of the classics.· Still, the egocentric child typically lacks any appreciation or knowledge of the game from a social point of view.· My dealer lacks sufficient knowledge to be of any help.· The clearest example of an incompetent teacher is one who lacks knowledge about the subject he or she is supposed to teach.· She may lack motivation to increase knowledge and improve skills, and appear uninterested.· The autonomous learner lacking particular knowledge knows how to acquire that knowledge.· The inexperienced therapist often feels that he lacks knowledge of sophisticated treatment techniques.· They usually place job applicants who have the right qualifications but lack knowledge of the job market for their desired position.
· The poorer ones lack the means to get out, and keep getting caught.· These early systems sometimes provide information only and lack the means to accept orders via the keyboard.· World markets dominated their economies, and they lacked the means for independent national economic development.· Because women often lack the means to pay fines, they are more likely to be imprisoned.· Trapped in a vacuum of despair, that term, I thought dramatically of suicide, but lacked the means.· It may feel it lacks the means to guarantee success and that a military enterprise would be too risky.· It is immediately apparent from this matrix that most of our information resources lack efficient means for exploiting those resources.· In the process the West may have sold itself a weapons portfolio which it lacks the means to produce in quantity.
· Cambridge, in comparison, looked metronomic and lacked the power through the water to counter Oxford's punch.· Accordingly, Congress simply lacks power under the Commerce Clause to displace state regulation of this kind.· And even while considering whether or not to remove it gently, she seemed to lack the power to do so.· The concrete operational child lacks the range, power, and depth of reasoning of his or her more developed counterpart.· Prose writers lack this power of admirable, dishonest transformation.· But they lack the power to force improvement that competition delivers.· Respondents identified a number of procedural deficiencies in the Act which was said to lack sufficient powers to enforce compliance.· There he learned that as a jobholder he lacked the power to do what needed to be done to create high-quality publications.
· One reason for this is that older workers tend to lack certification for skill even if they have been acquired.· He and his handlers say he lacks the rhetorical skill of the president.· Unfortunately from his viewpoint he lacked the skill to handle the matter and the result was a catastrophic decline in his reputation.· The duties of employment interviewers in job service centers differ somewhat because applicants may lack marketable skills.· He questions, for example, the idea that the only reason why people are out of work is that they lack skills.· They lack the professional skills to do it themselves and can not afford to hire lawyers to do it for them.· Social groups which lack the civic skills to represent their own interests are particularly vulnerable to neglect by decentralizing agencies.· Strategically, a commitment to hiring minorities may require special efforts to train people who lack the necessary skills.
· However, other Jacobite demonstrations from this time appear to have lacked much genuine support.· But it appears to lack sufficient support.· Day-care provision also lacked the support of women trade unionists.· And if she is poor, she is more likely to lack support when she needs it the most.· It will lack support for Apple events.· At least at the beginning it lacked social support, usually freely available in the schools from which secondees came.· A demand for a reduction in public expenditure can mean that the weaker services suffer because they lack powerful support groups.
· We lack a vision of what kind of company we want to be and a strategy.· They bolted at the hard-line views of Pat Buchanan and said Bob Dole lacked vision.· It lacks the vision, the panache, the self-confidence it once had under Mrs Thatcher, before she went sour.· It lacked an accurate vision of where this explosion in the bond market would lead.· They argued that, for all his drive and competence, he lacked both vision and character.
· However, our real weakness is not that we lack the potential, but that we lack the will to act.· Too many people are mere products of their context, lacking the will to change, to develop their potential.· And some forces appear to lack the will, as well.· By definition, however reluctant people facing behavior-driven change lack both will and skill.· She seemed to lack all will or decision.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1[transitive] to not have something that you need, or not have enough of it: - The resistance movement will not lack for funds.
- Contemporary social theory, however, does not lack for attempts at elaboration.
- Saro-Wiwa, who espoused nonviolence, did not lack for enemies.
- The Bohemian-born composer was one of the first touring pianists and his travels did not lack for drama or even farce.
Alex’s real problem is that he lacks confidence. ► Do not use ‘in’ or ‘of’ after the verb lack: We lack ideas (NOT We lack in/of ideas). However, you can use these prepositions after be lacking in and a lack: We are lacking in ideas. | There is a lack of ideas.2not lack for something formal to have a lot of something: He does not lack for critics.