want
gb/wˈɔnt/ us/wˈɔnt/
A1
English
~ 200
akar, szeretne, szeretné, ha, azt akarja, hogy, hiányzik, nélkülöz, vágy, igény, kívánság, nélkülözés, szegénység
VERB
A1
1
Usage pattern:
to want [something]
I really want a cup of coffee right now.
Most nagyon szeretnék egy csésze kávét.
She wants a new phone for her birthday.
Születésnapjára új telefont szeretne.
They want to travel abroad next summer.
He wants nothing more than to be left alone.
We all want peace and happiness.
Learner examples
I want a sandwich.
Szeretnék egy szendvicset.
She wants a new bag.
Új táskát szeretne.
They want to play outside.
He wants to read a book.
We want more time.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'want' with 'need'. 'Need' means something is necessary; 'want' means it is desired but not always necessary.
Meaning
to desire something
Collocations
want more
|want badly
|want desperately
|want something
|want nothing
|want everything
Synonyms
desire (Slightly more formal and often stronger in emotional tone.)
Antonyms
reject (Means to refuse or not accept something, opposite of wanting it.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To feel that you would like to have or do something.
To feel a need or desire to possess, experience, or do something.
VERB
A2
2
szeretné, ha
A2
Usage pattern:
to want [someone] to [verb]
I want you to call me when you arrive.
Szeretném, ha felhívnál, amikor megérkezel.
She wants her friends to visit her this weekend.
Szeretné, ha a barátai meglátogatnák ezen a hétvégén.
They want the children to clean their rooms before dinner.
Learner examples
I want you to help me.
Szeretném, ha segítenél nekem.
She wants him to cook dinner.
Azt szeretné, hogy ő főzzön vacsorát.
We want them to come early.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'to' before the verb in this structure.
Meaning
to wish someone to act
Collocations
want someone to help
|want you to know
|want them to come
Synonyms
ask (Implies making a request, but 'want' can be less direct or more about personal desire.)
Antonyms
forbid (Means to order someone not to do something, the opposite of wanting them to do it.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|relationships
Definition
To ask or hope for someone to do something.
To wish or request that someone does something.
VERB
B2
3
The project wants proper funding to succeed.
A projekt sikeréhez hiányzik a megfelelő finanszírozás.
He is in want of fresh ideas.
Friss ötletek híján van.
This room wants more light.
Learner examples
I want money for food.
Nincs pénzem ételre.
This garden wants water.
Ennek a kertnek vízre van szüksége.
The team wants more players.
Common mistake:
This meaning is less common in everyday speech and can sound formal; learners may confuse it with 'desire'.
Meaning
to be without something needed
Collocations
in want of
|want for nothing
Synonyms
lack (More formal and direct for not having something.)
Antonyms
possess (Means to have something, opposite of lacking it.)
Themes
needs
|poverty
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To not have something that you need or should have.
To be without or deficient in something that is necessary or desirable.
NOUN
B1
4
Her wants are simple: good food and good company.
Egyszerű vágyai vannak: jó étel és jó társaság.
The plan was designed to meet the wants of the community.
A tervet úgy alakították ki, hogy kielégítse a közösség igényeit.
He spoke about his wants and dreams.
Learner examples
My wants are small.
Szerények a vágyaim.
He has many wants.
Sok vágya van.
This gift meets her wants.
Meaning
a feeling of desire
Collocations
wants and needs
|basic wants
Synonyms
wish (Often implies a lighter or less urgent desire.)
Antonyms
contentment (A state of being satisfied and not desiring more.)
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling that you would like something.
A feeling of wishing for or desiring something.
NOUN
B2
5
nélkülözés
B2
szegénység
A2
They lived in extreme want during the winter.
A tél folyamán súlyos nélkülözésben éltek.
The charity helps those in want.
A jótékonysági szervezet a rászorulóknak segít.
He grew up in want but worked hard to succeed.
Learner examples
They are in want.
Nélkülöznek.
She lives in want.
Nélkülözésben él.
He knows the pain of want.
Meaning
state of lacking necessities
Collocations
in want
|extreme want
Synonyms
poverty (Specifically means having very little money; 'want' can be broader.)
Antonyms
plenty (Means having more than enough of what is needed.)
Themes
poverty
|daily_life
|finance
Definition
The condition of not having enough food, money, or other things you need.
A state of being without the basic necessities of life.
Grammar
Dictionary form
want
IPA
GB/wˈɔnt/
US/wˈɔnt/
Syllables & stress
want (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (want)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: want
- Plural: want
Verb
- Base: want
- 3rd Person Singular: wants
- Present Participle: wanting
- Past: wanted
Word family
Forms
wants
verb
wanting
verb
wanted
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unwanted
adjective B2
Expressions
for want of
1/fɚ wˈɔnt əv/
fixed phrase
formal
because something is missing
Because something is missing or lacking.
Examples
- The project failed for want of proper planning.
- He lost the match for want of practice.
in want of
1/ˈɪn wˈɔnt əv/
fixed phrase
formal
needing something that is missing
Needing something that is missing or lacking.
Examples
- The garden is in want of water.
- These old files are in want of organization.
want for nothing
1/wˈɔnt fɚ nˈʌθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
have everything needed/desirable
To have everything you need and desire.
Examples
- During her childhood, she wanted for nothing thanks to her parents’ wealth.
- They made sure their guests wanted for nothing.
want out
1/wˈɔnt ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
wish to leave a situation/place
To want to leave a situation or place you are in.
Examples
- She wants out of the relationship as soon as possible.
- I’ve been here too long—I want out.