wanting

[ won-ting, wawn- ]

/ ˈwɒn tɪŋ, ˈwɔn- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for wanting on Thesaurus.com

adjective

lacking or absent: a motor with some of the parts wanting.

deficient in some part, thing, or respect: to be wanting in courtesy.

preposition

lacking; without: a box wanting a lid.

less; minus: a century wanting three years.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of wanting

1250–1300; Middle English (adj.); see want, -ing²

Words nearby wanting

Wantagh, wantaway, wanted, want for nothing, want in, wanting, want knap, want list, wanton, wantonly, Wanxian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wanting in a sentence

She really got the ditziness of Louise’s character and the wanting-to-please element.
Sarah Pinborough, author of ‘Behind Her Eyes,’ talks about that controversial twist|Thomas Floyd|March 26, 2021|Washington Post
So many girls are idolizing these models and wanting to look like them.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He posted on Facebook about wanting to do something “right” and meaningful.
Exclusive: Inside a Cop-Killer’s Final Hours|Michael Daly|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But throughout all this, Malone describe herself as “oddly responsible,” wanting to help her moms pay the bills as young as 10.
Jena Malone’s Long, Strange Trip From Homelessness to Hollywood Stardom|Marlow Stern|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The vast majority of New Yorkers seem to disagree, wanting the Santas gone for good.
Before the Bros, SantaCon Was as an Anti-Corporate Protest|David Freedlander|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which was sweet and also troubling, because it meant that I have never shut up about wanting to be Peter Pan.
The Cast of ‘Peter Pan Live!’ Knows You Hatewatched ‘The Sound of Music’|Kevin Fallon|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Around the table were seated about twenty persons, amongst whom the usual sprinkling of sacerdotes was not wanting.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
Gottschal knew perfectly well what was wanting, but he wished to have a little fun out of the matter.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
I should judge from what I see and feel that shade is seldom wanting here, except as a shield from the rain.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Work was not wanting also in repairing and roofing the buildings and the mill, abandoned since our return in 1607.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Yet here it appears to be the one thing wanting to give success to that despair of aeronauts, military ballooning.
Asbestos|Robert H. Jones

British Dictionary definitions for wanting

wanting

/ (ˈwɒntɪŋ) /

adjective (postpositive)

lacking or absent; missing

not meeting requirements or expectationsyou have been found wanting

preposition

without

archaic minus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

wanting

Origin of wanting

Words nearby wanting

Words related to wanting

How to use wanting in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wanting