want ad

noun

1. classified ad.

want ad

noun

1. informal.
   a classified advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, etc, for something wanted, such as property or employment

Word History and Origins

Origin of want ad¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Certainly no one over 30, insists a want ad.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1942, her mother spotted a want ad that said the publisher Fiction House was looking for cartoonists and encouraged her to apply.

From New York Times

If the want ad had read: “Patriarch needed for new men’s movement--must be able to withstand the slings and arrows of outraged feminists,” Robert Bly would seem the ideal candidate.

From Los Angeles Times

Asked how she heard about the job, a new recruit reveals that she answered a want ad for “hostesses” in The Village Voice.

From New York Times

He answered a want ad in the paper about a company that was looking for pilots who wanted to fly in Southeast Asia.

From Washington Times