# lack vs lock

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### lack
*noun · IPA /læk/ · frequency rank #1,274*
A deficiency or need (of something desirable or necessary); an absence, want, dearth.

### lock
*noun · IPA /lɒk/ · frequency rank #2,954*
Something used for fastening, which can only be opened with a key or combination.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lack-vs-lock