lackluster

especially British, lack·lus·tre

[lak-luhs-ter]

adjective

1. lacking lack brilliance or radiance; dull.

   lackluster eyes.

2. lacking lack liveliness, vitality, spirit, or enthusiasm.

   a lackluster performance.

noun

1. a lack of brilliance or vitality.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lackluster¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; lack + luster ¹

Example Sentences

This lackluster performance comes despite a massive winnowing of the field in recent years, as chains including Noble House, Mitchell Gold, Klaussner Home Furnishings, and Z Gallerie have closed up shop.

Read more on Barron's

But the S&P 500 is off to a lackluster start to the final three months of the year, posting a 1.3% loss so far in the fourth quarter, according to FactSet data through Friday.

Read more on MarketWatch

Meanwhile, their counterparts in the South and the West are struggling with lackluster demand.

Read more on MarketWatch

On the weather front, Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said the lack of hurricanes throughout the quarter had contributed to the company’s lackluster quarter.

Read more on Barron's

Though she was far from vain, the thought of returning to her former lackluster hair was not very appealing, especially after receiving that nice compliment from Simon Harley-Dickinson.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• boring 
• flat 
• ho-hum 
• muted 
• uninspired