Want
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /wɒnt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Want is a verb meaning (transitive) To wish for or desire (something); to feel a need or desire for; to crave, hanker, or demand.
Meaning
(transitive) To wish for or desire (something); to feel a need or desire for; to crave, hanker, or demand.
More Meanings
- (transitive, in particular) To wish, desire, or demand to see, have the presence of or do business with.
- (intransitive) To desire (to experience desire); to wish.
- (colloquial, usually second person, often future tense) To be advised to do something (compare should, ought).
- (transitive, now colloquial) To lack and be in need of or require (something, such as a noun or verbal noun).
- (transitive, now rare) To have occasion for (something requisite or useful); to require or need.
- (intransitive, dated) To be lacking or deficient or absent.
- (intransitive, dated) To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack.
Example Sentences
I want you as a friend, not a foe.
Danish police want him for embezzlement.
But now it's different, if the police want him for murder.
Ma’am, you are exactly the professional we want for this job.
Word Forms
- wants
- wanting
- wanted
- wantest
- wantedst
- wanteth
Synonyms for want
Depending on context, synonyms include lack, need, ache, appetize, aspire, covet.
Antonyms for want
Common opposites include dislike, hate.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include desire, wish, wishing, need, require, deprivation.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “want” in a Crossword
Recall this definition from a clue, use crossing letters, and review the word again when you solve it.
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.