Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “lack” come from?

lack (English) comes from Middle English lack, from Old English *læc.

lack (English): A defect or failing; moral or spiritual...

Definitions

  1. A defect or failing; moral or spiritual...

Ancestry of “lack”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishlack—
2Old English*læc—

Words derived from “lack”

  • lacking
  • lackluster
  • alack
  • lacklustre
  • lacketh
  • lackest
  • lacker
  • lackwit
  • lackland
  • lackbrain
  • lacklusterly
  • lack-latin
  • lackingness
  • lacklustreness
  • lacklustrely
  • lacklusterness
  • lacks
  • alacke
  • alagge
Every word from Old English *læc →