want
gb/wˈɔnt/ us/wˈɔnt/
A1
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
to desire something
To feel that you would like to have or do something.
Usage pattern:
to want [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'want' with 'need'. 'Need' means something is necessary; 'want' means it is desired but not always necessary.
Synonyms
desire (Slightly more formal and often stronger in emotional tone.)
Antonyms
reject (Means to refuse or not accept something, opposite of wanting it.)
Collocations
want more
|want badly
|want desperately
|want something
|want nothing
|want everything
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I really want a cup of coffee right now.
- She wants a new phone for her birthday.
- 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.
- She wants a new bag.
- They want to play outside.
- He wants to read a book.
- We want more time.
Verb
A2
action
2
to wish someone to act
To ask or hope for someone to do something.
Usage pattern:
to want [someone] to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'to' before the verb in this structure.
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.)
Collocations
want someone to help
|want you to know
|want them to come
Themes
daily life
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- I want you to call me when you arrive.
- She wants her friends to visit her this weekend.
- They want the children to clean their rooms before dinner.
Learner examples
- I want you to help me.
- She wants him to cook dinner.
- We want them to come early.
Verb
B2
action
3
to be without something needed
To not have something that you need or should have.
Common mistake:
This meaning is less common in everyday speech and can sound formal; learners may confuse it with 'desire'.
Synonyms
lack (More formal and direct for not having something.)
Antonyms
possess (Means to have something, opposite of lacking it.)
Collocations
in want of
|want for nothing
Themes
needs
|poverty
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The project wants proper funding to succeed.
- He is in want of fresh ideas.
- This room wants more light.
Learner examples
- I want money for food.
- This garden wants water.
- The team wants more players.
Noun
B1
state
4
a feeling of desire
A feeling that you would like something.
Synonyms
wish (Often implies a lighter or less urgent desire.)
Antonyms
contentment (A state of being satisfied and not desiring more.)
Collocations
wants and needs
|basic wants
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her wants are simple: good food and good company.
- The plan was designed to meet the wants of the community.
- He spoke about his wants and dreams.
Learner examples
- My wants are small.
- He has many wants.
- This gift meets her wants.
Noun
B2
state
5
state of lacking necessities
The condition of not having enough food, money, or other things you need.
Synonyms
poverty (Specifically means having very little money; 'want' can be broader.)
Antonyms
plenty (Means having more than enough of what is needed.)
Collocations
in want
|extreme want
Themes
poverty
|daily_life
|finance
Examples
- They lived in extreme want during the winter.
- The charity helps those in want.
- He grew up in want but worked hard to succeed.
Learner examples
- They are in want.
- She lives in want.
- He knows the pain of want.
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.