want


Definition: Meaning of, want in English to English dictionary.

Pronunciation: / wɒnt /

  • verb
  • synonym
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Word Forms:
Prsesent Past Past Participle
want wanted wanted
Present Participle Third Person Singular
wanting wants
[not usually in progressive]
  1. desire [transitive] to have a desire for something
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  2. need [transitive] used to say that you need something or to ask someone firmly to do something for you
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  3. offer [transitive] used when offering or suggesting something to someone
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  4. should [transitive] spoken especially British English used to say that something is sensible or that someone should do it, especially when giving advice
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  5. what do you want? used to ask, often in a slightly rude way, what someone wants you to give them, do for them etc
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  6. ask for somebody [transitive] to ask for someone to come and talk to you, or to come to a particular place
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  7. lack [intransitive and transitive] formal to suffer because you do not have something
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  8. if you want used to offer to do something
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  9. if you want used to invite someone to do something or to give them permission
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  10. if you want used when someone suggests doing something, to say that you will do it, although you do not especially want to
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  11. who wants ...? used to say that you do not like something or do not think that it is worth doing
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  12. I just wanted to say/know etc used to politely say something, ask about something etc
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  13. I don't want to sound/be ..., but ... used to be polite when you are going to tell someone something that may upset them
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  14. sex [transitive] informal if you want someone, you want to have sex with them
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synonym
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  • noun
  • synonym
  • antonym
Word Forms:
Singular Plural
want wants
  1. for (the) want of something used to say that you do not have or cannot find what you need in a particular situation
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  2. for want of a better word/phrase etc used to say that you cannot find an exact word or phrase to describe something
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  3. not for want of something used to say that even though something did not happen or succeed, it was not because you did not try hard enough or have what you needed
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  4. for want of anything better (to do) if you do something for want of anything better, you do it only because there is nothing else you want to do
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  5. lack [uncountable and countable] formal something that you need but do not have
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  6. no food/money etc [uncountable] a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc
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  7. be in want of something formal to need something
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want used in phrases

  • want ad (noun)
    1. American English CLASSIFIED AD
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want used in phrasal verbs

  • want for (phrasal verb)
    1. want for something to not have everything that you need
    2. want for nothing formal to have everything that you need
  • want in (phrasal verb)
    1. to wish to enter a place
    2. to wish to take part in a situation, plan, or activity
  • want out (phrasal verb)
    1. to wish to leave a place
    2. to wish to leave a situation or relationship and no longer be involved in it
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