want
verb (used with object)
to feel a need or a desire for; wish for.
had been wanting
-
past perfect progressiveof want.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It wasn’t true, but fortuitously, Paul had been wanting to make a documentary, and he approached Emma Koskoff, who would become my producer.
From Salon ● May 23, 2025
She said she had been wanting to see Coldplay for a long time but was waiting until the band performed closer to home.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2024
It’s something that I had been wanting to do for a long time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2024
"We had been wanting to collaborate for some time, and this was the perfect opportunity," Kim said.
From Science Daily ● May 24, 2024
“Gran,” said Seven, suddenly remembering something she had been wanting to ask, “do you remember the Cursed Toads’ names?”
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
