want

[ wont, wawnt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to feel a need or a desire for; wish for:

   to want one's dinner; always wanting something new.

   Synonyms: crave, require

2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire (often followed by an infinitive):

   I want to see you.

   She wants to be notified.

3. to be without or be deficient in:

   to want judgment; to want knowledge.

   Synonyms: need

4. to fall short by (a specified amount):

   The sum collected wants but a few dollars of the desired amount.

5. to require or need:

   The house wants painting.

verb (used without object)

1. to feel inclined; wish; like (often followed by to ):

   We can stay home if you want.

2. to be deficient by the absence of some part or thing, or to feel or have a need (sometimes followed by for ):

   He did not want for abilities.

3. to have need (usually followed by for ):

   If you want for anything, let him know.

4. to be in a state of destitution, need, or poverty:

   She would never allow her parents to want.

5. to be lacking or absent, as a part or thing necessary to completeness:

   All that wants is his signature.

noun

1. something wanted or needed; necessity:

   My wants are few.

   Synonyms: desideratum

2. something desired, demanded, or required:

   a person of childish, capricious wants.

3. absence or deficiency of something desirable or requisite; lack:

   plants dying for want of rain.

   Synonyms: paucity, insufficiency, inadequacy, scarcity, dearth

4. the state of being without something desired or needed; need:

   to be in want of an assistant.

5. the state of being without the necessaries of life; destitution; poverty:

   a country where want is virtually unknown.

   Synonyms: indigence, penury, privation

6. a sense of lack or need of something:

   to feel a vague want.

want

¹

/ wɒnt /

verb

1. tr to feel a need or longing for

   I want a new hat

2. when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive to wish, need, or desire (something or to do something)

   he wants to go home

3. intrusually used with a negative and often foll byfor to be lacking or deficient (in something necessary or desirable)

   the child wants for nothing

4. tr to feel the absence of

   lying on the ground makes me want my bed

5. tr to fall short by (a specified amount)
6. tr to have need of or require (doing or being something)

   your shoes want cleaning

7. intr to be destitute
8. tr; often passive to seek or request the presence of

   you're wanted upstairs

9. intr to be absent
10. informal.
    tr; takes an infinitive should or ought (to do something)

    you don't want to go out so late

11. want in informal.
    to wish to be included in a venture
12. want out informal.
    to wish to be excluded from a venture

noun

1. the act or an instance of wanting
2. anything that is needed, desired, or lacked

   to supply someone's wants

3. a lack, shortage, or absence

   for want of common sense

4. the state of being in need; destitution

   the state should help those in want

5. a sense of lack; craving

want

²

/ wɒnt /

noun

1. dialect.
   a mole

Derived Forms

• ˈwanter, noun

Other Words From

• wanter noun
• wantless adjective
• wantless·ness noun
• self-want noun
• un·wanted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of want¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English wante, from Old Norse vanta “to lack”

Word History and Origins

Origin of want¹

C12 (vb, in the sense: it is lacking), C13 (n): from Old Norse vanta to be deficient; related to Old English wanian to wane

Origin of want²

Old English wand

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. want in / out, Chiefly Midland.
   1. to desire to enter or leave:

      The cat wants in.

   2. Informal. to desire acceptance in or release from something specified:

      I talked with Louie about our plan, and he wants in.

More idioms and phrases containing want

• waste not, want not

Example Sentences

There was "no point continuing with a parliament that is not in line with what the people want", he had said.

From BBC

We want everybody to feel like they have something to contribute.”

From Los Angeles Times

A camera might alert police the moment it registers the vehicle of a person wanted as part of an investigation or authorities might pore through captured images as part of a case, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Some faculty and students, for instance, want to eliminate police from campus entirely and use trained civilian mediators instead to address problems — using outside law enforcement to handle serious crimes.

From Los Angeles Times

David Lilley told the BBC he recognised the importance of the event for the "indie and creator community" and wanted "to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us along the way."

From BBC

Related Words

• need
• wish