want

I UK [wɒnt] / US [wɑnt] verb [transitive]
Word forms "want":
present tense I/you/we/they want he/she/it wants present participle wanting past tense wanted past participle wanted
***

Metaphor:

Wanting something is like being hungry or thirsty, and doing or having something that you want is like eating it. They are power-hungry and will stop at nothing. ♦ They are greedy for power. ♦ My grandmother had a huge appetite for life. ♦ We're starved of interesting things to do. ♦ I have developed a taste for foreign travel. ♦ Here's something to whet your appetite. ♦ She hungered to see him again. ♦ They thirsted after knowledge. ♦ I devoured every book on the subject that I could find. ➡ enthusiasm

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 see the gardens.

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.

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.

c) to ask for someone because you would like to see or speak to them

Mum wants you – she's in the kitchen.

You're wanted on the telephone.

The head wants you in her office after school.

2) to need something

We desperately want rain.

She wants help if she's going to sort out her financial problems.

You won't want much money on a camping holiday.

a) British if something wants doing, it needs to be done

The supper dishes want washing.

This bill wants paying.

b) British informal to deserve something

That rascal! He wants a good kick up the backside!

3) to feel that you would like to have sex with someone

She wanted him more than ever.

•

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.

do you want something? — spoken used for offering something to someone, or for asking them if they would like to do something; spoken used for threatening someone with something

Do you want a cup of coffee?

Do you want a slap?

Do you want me to call the police?

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.

I want... — used as a direct and rather rude way of asking for something. The polite phrase is "I would like"...

"I want a biscuit." "Ask nicely, please (= you won't get things unless you ask politely)!"

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.

I 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.

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!

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?

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.

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 tyre?

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?"

who wants (to do) something? — used for offering something to a group of people; used for showing that you expect someone to support your opinion, usually by giving a negative answer to your question

Who wants another glass of wine?

"Who wants to stand around waiting ages for a train?" "Not me."

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.

- all someone wants

- have someone just where you want them

- if you want

Phrasal verbs:

- want for

- want in

- want out

See:

waste II

II UK [wɒnt] / US [wɑnt] noun
Word forms "want":
singular want plural wants
*

1)

a) [countable/uncountable] formal a lack of something

want of:

His illness was caused by overwork and want of sleep.

Their work reveals a want of skill.

b) [uncountable] a lack of money, food, and other things someone needs to live

They were living in obvious want and squalor.

2) wants

[plural] things that you want or need

This system has been designed to supply all your wants.

wants and needs:

We aim to satisfy our customers' wants and needs.

•

for want of a better word/phrase/term — used for saying that you cannot think of a more exact way of describing or explaining what you mean

They were worried about, for want of a better word, competition from other charities.

not for (the) want of trying — used for emphasizing that although someone did not get what they wanted, they tried very hard to get it

Rangers failed to score a goal, but it was not for want of trying.

- for want of something