wanting

[ won-ting, wawn- ]

adjective

1. lacking or absent:

   a motor with some of the parts wanting.

2. deficient in some part, thing, or respect:

   to be wanting in courtesy.

preposition

1. lacking; without:

   a box wanting a lid.

2. less; minus:

   a century wanting three years.

wanting

/ ˈwɒntɪŋ /

adjective

1. lacking or absent; missing
2. not meeting requirements or expectations

   you have been found wanting

preposition

1. without
2. archaic.
   minus

Word History and Origins

Origin of wanting¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (adjective); want + -ing ²

Example Sentences

"The funding cuts have to do with Trump attacking an institution that he views as liberal, and wanting to exercise more control over what people teach and how students learn and think."

From BBC

Those wanting to appeal in Northern Ireland should go to the Education Authority website, external, where you can send off a form.

From BBC

Maybe that was because Leicester were better in terms of wanting the game more.

From BBC

One GP told the BBC that the increased workload resulting from having to assess and then escalate unreliable results was leading to "increased burnout and people wanting to leave the profession".

From BBC

If you’re expecting those adrenaline-spiking action sequences to erupt immediately, you may be left wanting by the premiere’s weighted blanket of drama.

From Salon

Related Words

• deficient
• unfulfilled