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Glite Dictionary
wanting

wanting

16 4.4
Not good enough because it is missing something important
  • adjective
  • /ˈwɔntɪŋ/
: insuficiente
  • The project proposal was wanting in several important aspects that needed addressing.

I'm I'm worried about showing up and being found wanting.

Examples

  • Despite her efforts, the presentation was wanting in clarity and coherence.

  • WANTING SEX, THEN CHANGING YOUR MIND, THEN TELLING THEM THAT THEY'VE BEEN AT A DAY SPA FOR A WEEK--

    Zoolander (2001)

  • His argument was found wanting and failed to convince the audience.

Synonyms

missing
vswanting
∞ 1.0

Not in the place where you expect to find it

means absence rather than insufficient quality or failing standards
inadequate
vswanting
120 4.4

Not enough or not good enough to do what is needed

focuses on failing specific needs rather than simple absence
lacking
vswanting
99 1.8

Not having enough of something needed to do well

refers to insufficiency across uses not only quantity
insufficient
vswanting
81 3.6

Not enough in amount or quality to meet a need

is the general lack or absence relative to a needed standard
deficient
vswanting
36 4.3

Not having enough of something needed

emphasizes not having enough of something important rather than mere absence
unsatisfactory
vswanting
15 3.9

Not good enough to be acceptable

is the broad notion of not meeting a required standard
unsatisfying
vswanting
11 3.7

Less good than you expected and leaving you disappointed

focuses on lack of satisfaction, not on meeting formal standards

Antonyms

sufficient
355 2.8

Enough to do what is needed

adequate
204 2.7

Enough in amount or quality to meet a need

How Complete

perfect
∞ 1.0
complete
751 1.0
sufficient
355 2.8
adequate
204 2.7
wanting
16 4.4
incomplete
108 3.4
deficient
36 4.3

Surface Forms

wanting positive

Morphology

wanting = want (semi-transparent) = want + ing

Formed by suffixation from the verb 'want', but the adjectival meaning 'lacking' relies on the 'want' = 'lack' sense which may not be the primary sense learners know.

Etymology

The word wanting comes from an old Norse verb vanta meaning 'to lack' and is related to the everyday word want, which can mean 'to not have'. So, if something is wanting, it is 'missing' or not enough.