Word
wanting
Phoneticswant·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɑnɪŋ/
UK/wˈɒntɪŋ/
Definitions
01desiring something
A1 · Beginner
v. the form of 'want' used to show you are currently desiring or needing something.
v. the present participle of 'want', used in continuous tenses to express a current desire or requirement.
“I have been wanting to visit that new museum for months.”
“She had been wanting to address the board regarding the budget cuts, but the opportunity never presented itself during the meeting.”
Usage
Often used in the present perfect continuous to show a long-term desire.
02missing or lacking
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. missing something that is needed or expected.
adj. absent, lacking, or not present where required.
“We looked for the keys everywhere, but they were still wanting.”
“Despite the thorough investigation, the crucial evidence needed to secure a conviction was still wanting.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, this sense is quite formal; 'missing' is much more common in daily speech.
03not good enough
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. not meeting a standard; failing to be as good as needed.
adj. deficient in some way; failing to meet a required standard or expectation.
“The service at the restaurant was found wanting during the busy weekend.”
“The candidate's technical skills were impressive, but his leadership experience was found wanting by the recruitment panel.”
Usage
Commonly used in the fixed phrase 'found wanting'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04minus or without
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Dialect
prep. less a certain amount; minus.
prep. indicating a subtraction or a lack of a specific quantity; minus.
“The clock showed ten minutes wanting to midnight.”
“The total sum was five pounds wanting of the required amount to cover the transaction fees.”
Teaching tip
This prepositional use is rare in modern standard English and is mostly found in older literature or specific regional dialects.
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English wantyng, wantynge, wantand, equivalent to want + -ing.
From Middle English wantyng, wantynge, equivalent to want + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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