“Lacks” or “Lax”—Which to use?

“Lacks” or “Lax”

Overview

lacks / lax are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

lacks: (noun) the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable.

lax: (adjective) lacking in rigor or strictness. (adjective) pronounced with muscles of the tongue and jaw relatively relaxed (e.g., the vowel sound in `bet'). (adjective) lacking in strength or firmness or resilience. (adjective) emptying easily or excessively.

Pronunciation

lacks: l·AE·k·s

lax: l·AE·k·s

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Examples in Context

Examples of “lacks”

Though Piantadino lacks courage, he nonetheless uncovers the…
…the Western pattern diet, which lacks whole grains and fiber and…
…studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas.
Arthur acknowledges that he lacks social skills but this makes…
…during the Rajapaksa regime and lacks legal documents to validate their…
It lacks many facilities including water and
…co-scripted by Georgina Garcia Riedel lacks true comic inspiration, it provides…
…listening experience, but what it lacks in cheer it makes up…
…calopus, has red pores and lacks stipe reticulation.
…intelligent, loyal, and caring but lacks common sense at times.

Examples of “lax”

…finding that the organization exercised lax oversight and made questionable spending
…California: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Don Lax went on to play violin…
…of 1970-72 violinist, Don V. Lax
Peter David Lax
…enforcement of these statutes proved lax, in 1920 the Society set…
…Aid Commission was cited for lax oversight of EdFund.
…10 million passengers fly through LAX on United every year, or…
…also said that staff were lax and lazy and the palace…
…an interview with Don V. Lax, the violin player of the…

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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