How to Pronounce Lack

To pronounce "lack", say LACK — one syllable, IPA /lak/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

lack

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/lak/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “lack”

"lack" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with crack and slack, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: lac, lak — easy to mix up when writing.

What does lack mean?

noun

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

verb

  1. To be without, to need, to require.

    “My life lacks excitement.”

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

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

Antonyms

glutsurplus

Hear “lack” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with lack

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

crackslackblacktrackhackrackbacksetbackclackattackflakfeedback

Related words

deficiencymisswantinsufficientinsufficiencydeficientdeficitinadequacy

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "lack"?▾

"Lack" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "lack"?▾

The IPA transcription of "lack" is /lak/.

What does "lack" mean?▾

Lack: A defect or failing; moral or spiritual degeneracy.

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