want

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/wɑnt/
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To wish to have something or to need it.
Practice using want in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Their wants change with age.
  • You want to be more careful with that knife.
  • The plants want water.
  • What do you want for dinner?
  • The soup wants a little salt.

Similar words

lack
ought to
wishes
shortage
lack
poverty
be needed
should
desires
be requested

Meanings

Desire

verb
daily life
neutral
To wish to have something or for something to happen.

Examples

  • I want a glass of water.
  • She wants to go home.
  • What do you want for dinner?
  • They wanted a bigger house.
  • I want you to be happy.

Similar words

wish for
desire

Need

verb
daily life
informal
To need something because it is useful or necessary.

Examples

  • The plants want water.
  • This room wants a fresh coat of paint.
  • Your shoes want cleaning.
  • The soup wants a little salt.
  • That fence wants repairing.

Similar words

need
require

Be needed somewhere

verb
daily life
neutral
To be required to come to a particular place or person.

Examples

  • You're wanted on the phone.
  • She's wanted in the office.
  • The doctor is wanted downstairs.
  • I was wanted at the front desk.
  • Are you wanted at the meeting?

Similar words

be needed
be requested

Advise

verb
daily life
informal
Used to tell someone what it would be sensible to do.

Examples

  • You want to take an umbrella.
  • You'll want to book ahead.
  • You don't want to miss the last bus.
  • You want to be more careful with that knife.
  • If you're tired, you want to rest.

Similar words

should
ought to

Desire someone sexually

verb
relationships
neutral
To feel sexual desire for another person.

Examples

  • He knew she wanted him.
  • She whispered, 'I want you.'
  • He still wants her after all these years.
  • They wanted each other, but neither said so.
  • I don't want him in that way.

Similar words

desire
lust after

Lack

verb
daily life
formal
To lack a quality or thing, especially in formal writing.

Examples

  • She does not want courage.
  • The argument wants clarity.
  • The plan wants detail.
  • His reply wanted warmth.
  • Their work wants nothing in care or skill.

Similar words

lack
be short of

Desired things

noun
daily life
neutral
Things that a person would like to have.

Examples

  • We must separate needs from wants.
  • The shop tries to meet customers' wants.
  • Her wants are simple.
  • Their wants change with age.
  • He saved money for needs, not wants.

Similar words

desires
wishes

Lack or poverty

noun
daily life
formal
A shortage of something necessary, especially food or money.

Examples

  • The family lived in want.
  • They suffered want during the winter.
  • For want of money, the trip was canceled.
  • No child should grow up in want.
  • The village knew years of want.

Similar words

shortage
lack
poverty

Etymology

From Old Norse vanta, 'be lacking'; the sense of need developed into desire.

FAQ

What does want mean?

Usually, to wish to have something or for something to happen.

How is want different from need?

A want may be a wish, while a need is necessary.

Can want mean need?

Yes. 'The plants want water' means they need it.

What does 'you're wanted' mean?

Someone needs you to come or answer.

Can 'want to' be advice?

Yes. 'You want to book ahead' means you should.

Can want be a noun?

Yes. Plural wants are things someone desires.

What does 'in want' mean?

It describes living with too little food, money, or other necessities.

Comments & contributions

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