for lack of a better word vs or for lack of a better word

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'For lack of a better word' is the more common and idiomatic expression, used when you are about to use a word that may not be the best choice. On the other hand, 'or for lack of a better word' is less common and may be used when presenting alternatives or options.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 882 views

for lack of a better word

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when you are about to use a word that may not be the best choice, often to indicate that the word you are using is not perfect but the closest you can think of.

Examples:

He was, for lack of a better word, a genius.
The movie was, for lack of a better word, boring.
For lack of a better word, let's call it a success.
The dish was, for lack of a better word, delicious.
She was, for lack of a better word, stunning.

Show examples from the web [+]

Now, I don't want to burn anyone's cover or undermine this investigation, but I'd like to rule out any possibility that Arthur might have been... for lack of a better word, sloppy during his assignations, for personal reasons.
But in my candid moments, I sometimes wonder if I take the stance I do because love, for lack of a better word, is a game I fail to understand, and so I opt not to play.
The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good.
I think what you're feeling is perfectly valid and maybe a little bit later when you're feeling a little less... for lack of a better word - violated, maybe we can talk about this some more.
for lack of a better word - violated, maybe we can talk about this some more.
I think what you're feeling is perfectly valid and maybe a little bit later when you're feeling a little less... for lack of a better word - violated, maybe we can talk about this some more.
This pecan had undergone a unique digestive process rendering it into, for lack of a better word, a rock.
Well, I'm hoping that the traitor will, for lack of a better word, confess.
Bites so deep they left, for lack of a better word, craters in their flesh.
I am here to say that greed, for lack of a better word, is good.
Let's say he's... for lack of a better word... real.
You see this ink here, for lack of a better word?
It is also a front for a very large, very old outfit run by Amancio Malvado, who is, for lack of a better word, the mark.
But now I find myself in need of something new, which for lack of a better word we shall call "magic."
For lack of a better word, it's a classic.
For lack of a better word, it's a classic.
For lack of a better word,
For lack of a better word, they tend to choose more feminine ways to die.
They share a group delusion... a boogieman, for lack of a better word.
Right. They share a group delusion - a boogieman, for lack of a better word.

Alternatives:

in other words
to put it simply
to say the least
if you will
if I may say so

or for lack of a better word

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

This phrase may be used when presenting alternatives or options, indicating that the following word or phrase is not the best choice but the closest available.

Examples:

You can use a pen or, for lack of a better word, a pencil.
We could go by car or, for lack of a better word, by train.
You can choose the red one or, for lack of a better word, the blue one.
We can meet at 3 or, for lack of a better word, at 4.
You can call him now or, for lack of a better word, later.

Show examples from the web [+]

For lack of a better word, it's a classic.
For lack of a better word, it's a classic.
We were "hacktivists." For lack of a better word.
My software can test whether the rockets are reachable across an IP network, thus creating a traceable ping for lack of a better word.
For lack of a better word,
They share a group delusion... a boogieman, for lack of a better word.
Well, I'm hoping that the traitor will, for lack of a better word, confess.
For lack of a better word, they tend to choose more feminine ways to die.
Right. They share a group delusion - a boogieman, for lack of a better word.
Bites so deep they left, for lack of a better word, craters in their flesh.
I am here to say that greed, for lack of a better word, is good.
This pecan had undergone a unique digestive process rendering it into, for lack of a better word, a rock.
The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good.
Let's say he's... for lack of a better word... real.
Now, I don't want to burn anyone's cover or undermine this investigation, but I'd like to rule out any possibility that Arthur might have been... for lack of a better word, sloppy during his assignations, for personal reasons.
He is doing his best to stick to his guns of what he wants, while having small moments of learning how to be a more normal human being, for lack of a better word.
Well, the crown, for lack of a better word, rose thorns, early cane, switchgrass wrapped around a bent branch, and the horns are deer antlers.
You see this ink here, for lack of a better word?
It is also a front for a very large, very old outfit run by Amancio Malvado, who is, for lack of a better word, the mark.
And what really struck me about them was that they weren't only optimistic, but they kind of struck me as nervous, for lack of a better word.

Alternatives:

or rather
or perhaps
or alternatively
or else
or instead

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for lack of a better word vs or for lack of a better word