What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devoid
Example
The room was devoid of any furniture. [devoid: adjective]
Example
He was devoid of any sense of humor. [devoid: preposition]
lacking
Example
The soup was lacking in salt. [lacking: verb]
Example
She felt lacking in confidence during the presentation. [lacking: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lacking is more commonly used than devoid in everyday language. Lacking is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while devoid is less common and refers to a complete absence or emptiness of something.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devoid and lacking?
Devoid is typically associated with a more formal tone, while lacking is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
