adj
Common
wanting
WON-tihng
Wanting (adj) means lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected. Example: “Their performance was wanting, and the judges said it lacked energy.”
adj
1
Lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected.
"Their performance was wanting, and the judges said it lacked energy."
"If the evidence is wanting, we cannot reach a firm conclusion."
"The plan was ambitious, but the execution was found wanting."
prep
1
Without; lacking.
"She set off on the hike wanting a proper map or a compass."
"The soup tasted flat, wanting salt and a little more pepper."
"He arrived at the interview wanting the confidence to speak up."
How to use wanting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFalling short or missing something expected — often in the phrase "found wanting."
Common pairings
found wanting
leave much to be desired
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Word forms
- Plural
- wantings
- Comparative
- more wanting
- Superlative
- most wanting
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their performance was _____, and the judges said it lacked energy.
Etymology
Came from Middle English wantyng, wantynge, wantand, equivalent to want plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wanting
See all rhymes for wanting →Frequently asked questions
What does “wanting” mean?
The word “wanting” means lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected. In plain terms, falling short or missing something expected — often in the phrase "found wanting.".
How do you pronounce “wanting”?
“Wanting” is pronounced WON-tihng (/ˈwɑntɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wanting” in a sentence?
Here is “wanting” used in a sentence: “The plan was ambitious, but the execution was found wanting.”
What part of speech is “wanting”?
Depending on how it is used, “wanting” can be an adjective and a preposition.
Is “wanting” a common word?
“Wanting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wanting” have?
“Wanting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected.
What does 'found wanting' mean?
To be 'found wanting' means to fall short when tested or judged — to prove inadequate. The phrase comes from the idea of weighing something and finding it lacks the required weight. For example, 'His excuses were weighed and found wanting' means they failed to convince.
What is the difference between wanting and lacking?
The two are close, and in this sense wanting means lacking. 'Lacking' plainly states that something is absent. 'Wanting' adds a sense of judgment — that what is missing was needed or expected, so the thing falls short of a standard. It often sounds more formal.
Is wanting a negative word?
In this sense, yes. Describing something as wanting means it is deficient or falls short of what was needed, which is a criticism. Note this differs from 'wanting' meaning desiring something, as in 'wanting a holiday,' which is neutral. Context makes clear which meaning applies.
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