English Reference

Word

lackluster

Phoneticslack·lus·ter

/ˈɫæˌkɫəstɝ/

UK spelling · lacklustre

Definition

adj. not very exciting or impressive. You use this to describe something that is boring or does not show much energy.

adj. lacking in energy, interest, or brilliance; dull or uninspiring. Often used to describe performances, products, or economic growth.

Examples

“The movie was a lackluster attempt at a horror film.”

“The company's quarterly report was a lackluster document that failed to inspire confidence in the board.”

“Despite the high expectations for the new season, the team's performance remained lackluster, failing to secure a single victory in their first five matches.”

Examples

simple

“The movie was a lackluster attempt at a horror film.”

contextual

“The company's quarterly report was a lackluster document that failed to inspire confidence in the board.”

complex

“Despite the high expectations for the new season, the team's performance remained lackluster, failing to secure a single victory in their first five matches.”

Real-World Examples

“The ONS also said retail sales were lacklustre in July, falling 0.5% from June.”
BBC News · 21 Aug 2026
“Also, the interior panel fit on my test vehicle was disappointing—and not just for a $100,000 vehicle; it would be lackluster on the $45,000 Subaru I tested immediately afterward.”
Ars Technica · 17 Jul 2026

Etymology

From lack + luster.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference