1 lackluster | Definition of lackluster

lackluster

adjective
lack·​lus·​ter | \ ˈlak-ËŒlÉ™-stÉ™r How to pronounce lackluster (audio) \

Definition of lackluster

: lacking in sheen, brilliance, or vitality : dull, mediocre The actor gave a lackluster performance.

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Other Words from lackluster

lackluster noun

Did You Know?

In its earliest uses, "lackluster" (also spelled "lacklustre") usually described the eyes or face, as in "a lackluster stare." Later, it came to describe other things whose sheen had been removed; Charles Dickens, in his 1843 novel Martin Chuzzlewit, writes of the faded image of the dragon on the sign outside a village alehouse: "many a wintry storm of rain, snow, sleet, and hail, had changed his colour from a gaudy blue to a faint lack-lustre shade of grey." In addition to "a glow or sheen," "luster" can refer to a superficial attractiveness or appearance of excellence; it follows that "lackluster" is often used as a synonym for "unspectacular," as in our examples.

Examples of lackluster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Pizza Hut has continued to struggle with lackluster sales in the United States. , Louisville Courier Journal, The Courier-Journal, "Blast from the past? Pizza Hut is bringing back a 20th century logo to revamp its brand," 25 June 2019 He was never considered a major thinker in the Brotherhood and instead rose through its ranks as an efficient, if lackluster, loyalist. Samy Magdy, chicagotribune.com, "Egypt's former president Mohammed Morsi, ousted in 2013, dies in court while on trial, family says," 17 June 2019 He was never considered a major thinker in the Brotherhood and instead rose through its ranks as an efficient, if lackluster, loyalist. Samy Magdy, Anchorage Daily News, "Egypt’s ousted president Mohammed Morsi dies in court while facing trial," 17 June 2019 He was never considered a major thinker in the Brotherhood and instead rose through its ranks as an efficient, if lackluster, loyalist. Time, "Egypt's Former President Mohammed Morsi Dies in Court During Trial," 17 June 2019 Loiseau’s campaign has been lackluster, and polls suggest their party is in a close race with the far-right National Rally in the election, which takes place in France on May 26. Angela Charlton, The Seattle Times, "No more Mr Europe: Macron forced to curb EU ambitions," 20 May 2019 Previous officials in Texas had been reluctant to raise the standards on STAAR because performance has been lackluster since the state began administering the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests in 2012. Dallas News, "Why does Texas have the lowest reading standards for fourth graders? It’s complicated," 21 Aug. 2019 Hickenlooper’s performances in the first two Democratic debates were lackluster, while Gardner turned in impressive debate performances during his first run for Senate. John Mccormack, National Review, "Would John Hickenlooper Dominate the Colorado Senate Race?," 19 Aug. 2019 Quarterback Drew Lock went 7-of-9 passing in 11-on-11 work after a lackluster preseason debut against the Falcons. Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, "Broncos training camp rewind, Day 12: No panic over Drew Lock’s preseason performance," 4 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lackluster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of lackluster

1600, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for lackluster

lackluster

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of lackluster

: lacking excitement or interest

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