Wannabe
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈwɒnəbi/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Wannabe is a noun meaning (informal, derogatory) Someone who wishes to be part of, or to assimilate to, a majority group of which they are not a member.
Meaning
(informal, derogatory) Someone who wishes to be part of, or to assimilate to, a majority group of which they are not a member.
More Meanings
- (informal, derogatory, often attributive) Someone who wishes to be someone or do something, but lacks the qualifications or talent; an overeager amateur; an aspirant.
Example Sentences
Most of the people Hiro knows are will-bes or wannabes.
Bigger, mongrelly and black, he was clearly a Doberman wannabe.
He had the reputation of a wannabe hardman, riding his cousin's coattails.
Hollywood's restaurants are full of wannabe actors waiting to be discovered.
Word Forms
- wannabes
- wanna-be
- wannabee
Synonyms for wannabe
Depending on context, synonyms include tryhard, aspirant, wannabee.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include aspirant, wannabee, yearning, pledge, blower, cadet.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.