want
verb (used with object)
to feel a need or a desire for; wish for.
have been wanting
-
present perfect progressiveof want.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
I mean, it’s stuff that people have been wanting and all that’s happening, they’ve got subpoenas pending.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025
“I have been wanting to go back and to do it right, and I am.”
From Salon ● Apr. 16, 2025
He was really good, that's the type of Delap I have been wanting to see.
From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2025
We were impressed by this pleasantly swanky Bellevue place when it was just a few months old, back in 2018, and have been wanting to revisit ever since.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2024
If anything, he says it too loudly and all in a rush, as if the words have been wanting to tumble out for a long time.
From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
