want

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verb [transitive] American English pronunciation: want

/wɑnt/

present tense
I/you/we/they	want
he/she/it	wants
present participle	wanting
past tense	wanted
past participle	wanted

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Metaphor

1
to feel that you would like to have, keep, or do something
Do you still want these old letters?
want something for something:
What do you want for your birthday?
want to do something:
Liz wants to go to the circus.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
1. a.
  to feel that you would like someone to do something or would like something to happen
  want someone/something to do something:
  Her parents didn’t want her to marry him.
  want something of/from someone:
  I wish I knew exactly what they wanted of me.
  want something done:
  Mrs. Miller wants the entire house repainted.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
2. b.
  informal to feel that you would like someone or something to be in a particular place or doing a particular job
  I want those boxes out of the living room by tomorrow!
  We want Stephen as chairman.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
3. c.
  to ask for someone because you would like to see or speak to them
  Mom wants you – she’s in the kitchen.
  You’re wanted on the telephone.
  The principal wants you in her office after school.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
2
mainly British to need something
We desperately want rain.
You won’t want much money on a camping trip.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
1. a.
  British if something wants doing, it needs to be done
  This bill wants paying.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
2. b.
  British informal to deserve something
  That rascal! He wants a good kick up the backside!
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
3
spoken used for telling someone what they should do
You want to take Pine Street – it’s faster.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
4
to feel that you would like to have sex with someone
She wanted him more than ever.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want

phrases

all someone wants
spoken
used for saying that someone’s needs or requests are reasonable
All I want is the truth.
All they wanted to do was play football.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
be/have everything someone wants
to have all the qualities that someone thinks a particular person or thing should have
He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a boyfriend.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
do you want something?
spoken
1. 1
  used for offering something to someone, or for asking them if they would like to do something
  Do you want a cup of coffee?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
2. 2
  used for threatening someone with something
  Do you want a slap?
  Do you want me to call the police?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
have someone just where you want them
used for saying you are happy with the situation that someone is in because it gives you power over them, or will help you to get something that you want from them
We’ve got our rivals just where we want them.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
if you want
informal
1. 1
  used for offering to do something
  I’ll make some coffee if you want.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
2. 2
  used for giving permission or agreeing with a suggestion that someone has made
  “Should we go next week?” “Yeah, if you want.”
  “Can I come with you?” “If you want.”
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
if you want my advice/opinion
spoken
used for emphasizing that you are giving someone your honest advice/opinion, perhaps without being asked for it
If you want my opinion, you’d be mad to marry him.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
I (just) wanted...
spoken
used for politely introducing something that you are going to say to someone, especially if it is quick or informal
I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your singing.
I just wanted to ask if you were feeling better?
I just wanted you to know how grateful I am.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
I want...
used as a direct and rather rude way of asking for something. The polite phrase is “I would like...”
“I want a cookie.” “Ask nicely, please (=you won’t get things unless you ask politely)!”
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
I want to say/thank/tell etc.
spoken
used for introducing something that you are about to say, especially at the start of a speech
I want to say how pleased I am to receive this award.
I want to thank you all for being here.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
just what I (have always) wanted
used for saying you are pleased with a present. This phrase is sometimes used in a humorous way to show that you really think the present is not very nice or useful
Thanks again for the book, it’s just what I wanted.
Eyelash curlers? Hmm...just what I’ve always wanted!
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
not want to be/appear/sound etc.
spoken
used for making what you are going to say seem less rude or extreme
“I don’t want to seem rude,” she said, “but I was hoping to travel on my own.”
Without wanting to pry (=don’t think I am trying to ask personal questions, but), how long have you been going out with him?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
want nothing more (than)
mainly literary
used for showing that someone’s hopes or wishes are reasonable
They wanted nothing more than to relax and spend their time together.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
what does someone want with something?
used for saying that you cannot understand why someone wants the thing mentioned
What do you want with that old tire?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
what do you want?
impolite
used for asking someone in a rude way why they need to speak to you or to see you
I’m a busy woman, what do you want?
“Who are you?” he demanded angrily. “And, what do you want?”
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
who wants (to do) something?
1. 1
  used for offering something to a group of people
  Who wants another glass of wine?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
2. 2
  used for showing that you expect someone to support your opinion, usually by giving a negative answer to your question
  “Who wants to sit around waiting for ages in the dentist’s office?” “Not me.”
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want
you want/don’t want to do something
spoken
used for advising or warning someone that they should/should not do something
You want to be careful, I think you’ve drunk too much.
You don’t want to go there alone.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of want

phrasal verbs

showmance

a romantic relationship between two members of the cast of a play, film or television series

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a very light grey stone from a volcano

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want

What are red words?

Thesaurus

Related dictionary definitions

phrases

all someone wants

be/have everything someone wants

do you want something?

have someone just where you want them

if you want

if you want my advice/opinion

I (just) wanted...

I want...

I want to say/thank/tell etc.

just what I (have always) wanted

not want to be/appear/sound etc.

want nothing more (than)

what does someone want with something?

what do you want?

who wants (to do) something?

you want/don’t want to do something

phrasal verbs

showmance

Word of the Day

pumice

human-readable