Synonyms

lackluster

American

[lak-luhs-ter] / ˈlækˌlʌs tər /

especially British, lacklustre

adjective

lacking lack brilliance or radiance; dull.

lackluster eyes.
lacking lack liveliness, vitality, spirit, or enthusiasm.

a lackluster performance.

noun

a lack of brilliance or vitality.

Etymology

Origin of lackluster

First recorded in 1590–1600; lack + luster ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Investors have been displeased with the iPhone maker’s slow progress in the AI space and its lackluster Apple Intelligence offering.

From MarketWatch

He brings supply-chain expertise but has struggled to push Apple into innovative new product categories recently and has overseen a lackluster AI push thus far.

From MarketWatch

Despite the lackluster growth in recent economic activity, the labor market has remained quite tight, Capital Economics chief Europe economist Andrew Kenningham said in a note to clients after the jobless data.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others fear a lackluster initial public offering market could continue to sap fund performance.

From The Wall Street Journal

To be sure, after years of lackluster thematic ETF launches, 2025 has brought renewed interest in thematic ETFs and growing assets under management.

From MarketWatch

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023