Lacks: meaning, definitions and examples
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lacks
[læks ]
Definitions
incomplete
To be without or deficient in something. To not have enough of something.
Synonyms
is missing, is short of, needs.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| lacks |
This is often used to indicate a deficiency in a general sense. It can suggest a permanent or inherent deficiency.
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| needs |
This is used to express a requirement or necessity for something.
|
| is missing |
This phrase indicates that something which was expected or supposed to be there is absent. It is often used in specific, situational contexts.
|
| is short of |
This indicates that there is not enough of something, suggesting a temporary or partial insufficiency.
|
Examples of usage
- The team lacks experience in this field.
- She lacks the necessary qualifications for the job.
deficiency
A state of being without or not having enough of something.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| lacks |
Used when someone or something does not have something they need or should have. Often describes an incomplete quality or a need for improvement.
|
| shortage |
Used when there is not enough of something needed. Often refers to immediate or practical issues like supplies and labor.
|
| absence |
Refers to the state of something or someone being missing or not present. Often used in formal contexts or to describe periods of time.
|
| scarcity |
Describes a situation where something is in very low supply. Often used in economic contexts or to describe resources.
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Examples of usage
- There is a lack of resources in the department.
- Her lack of confidence held her back from pursuing her dreams.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- Originated from the Old English word 'lacan', meaning 'to lack or be deficient'.
- Over time, it evolved in the Middle Ages, being used in various forms as English modernized.
- The word has cognates in other Germanic languages, indicating the same concept of absence or deficiency.
Psychology
- Feelings of lack can be linked to motivation; people may act to fill voids in their lives.
- Research shows that perceived lacks can influence behavior, leading to stronger desires for goods and experiences.
- In psychology, a lack of something often triggers a response to seek it, whether it's love, success, or material needs.
Pop Culture
- Many songs discuss themes of lack, often addressing emotional gaps or unmet desires.
- In film and literature, characters often face challenges due to what they lack, providing conflict that drives the plot.
- Popular phrases, like 'It lacks flavor!' in cooking shows, emphasize the emotional response to deficiency.
Education
- In education, the word is used to describe students who may lack resources or support systems for learning.
- Teachers often address areas where students lack knowledge to better tailor education plans.
- Educational frameworks focus on identifying what students lack to improve their learning outcomes.
Translations
Translations of the word "lacks" in other languages:
🇵🇹 falta
🇮🇳 कमी
🇩🇪 Mangel
🇮🇩 kurang
🇺🇦 нестача
🇵🇱 brak
🇯🇵 不足 (ふそく)
🇫🇷 manque
🇪🇸 falta
🇹🇷 eksiklik
🇰🇷 부족 (부족)
🇸🇦 نقص
🇨🇿 nedostatek
🇸🇰 nedostatok
🇨🇳 缺乏 (quēfá)
🇸🇮 pomanjkanje
🇮🇸 skortur
🇰🇿 жетіспеушілік
🇬🇪 ნაკლებობა
🇦🇿 çatışmazlıq
🇲🇽 falta