wanting
Americanadjective
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lacking or absent.
a motor with some of the parts wanting.
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deficient in some part, thing, or respect.
to be wanting in courtesy.
preposition
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lacking; without.
a box wanting a lid.
-
less; minus.
a century wanting three years.
adjective
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lacking or absent; missing
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not meeting requirements or expectations
you have been found wanting
preposition
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without
-
archaic minus
Etymology
Origin of wanting
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (adjective); want + -ing 2
Explanation
If something's wanting, there's not enough of something necessary in it. If your essay is wanting, it's missing something important and won't get an A. Try adding body paragraphs. If you forget the sugar in your chocolate chip cookies, you'll find them wanting when you taste them. Likewise, if your favorite team's defense is wanting, they're likely to lose the basketball game. Wanting, which was originally wantand, comes from the verb want, "to be lacking." This definition pre-dated the now more common "to wish for" by 500 years.
Vocabulary lists containing wanting
Nobody's Home: Synonyms For "Absent"
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Absent
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Lacking
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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.
Whether in use as memorable transitions, to deliver a sonic hit of nostalgia or to underscore a jarring cliffhanger, songs pack emotional punch — and leave us wanting more.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
For investors wanting a quality name trading at a discount, Domino’s Pizza might be a good option.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Allowed to innovate, to make battlefield adjustments, and to resist the urge to abandon strong defensive positions, they have imposed devastating casualties on the Russians, who are seriously wanting in tactical agility.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
Kristie Frederick Daugherty, a Swiftie, poet and author, says Swift-centric forums she's part of across Facebook, Instagram, Substack and Reddit feature fans showing "a ton of respect for the privacy that she's wanting".
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
“Oh…” I reply, not wanting to lie to sweet Mrs. Tilbury.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
