wannabe

Sometimes wan·na·bee

[won-uh-bee, waw-nuh‑]

noun

Informal.

plural

wannabes 

1. one who aspires, often vainly, to emulate another's success or attain eminence in some area.

wannabe

/ ˈwɒnəˌbiː /

noun

1. informal

   1. a person who desires to be, or be like, someone or something else

      a group of Marilyn Monroe wannabes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a wannabe film star

Word History and Origins

Origin of wannabe¹

First recorded in 1980–85; derivative of (I) wanna be…

Word History and Origins

Origin of wannabe¹

C20: phonetic shortening of want to be

Example Sentences

What’s a wannabe strongman to do to prop up his regime?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Anxious market reactions to otherwise solid earnings reports, the appearance of wannabe retail products—both are signs.

Read more on Barron's

Then again, it would have been set up a lot better than merely as a horror wannabe’s tour of his favorite tropes.

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Our America is not ruled by a petty, vindictive despot wannabe with an outrageous history of criminal and socially abhorrent behavior who imagines he is king.

Read more on Salon

Most wannabe activists have been chewed up and spit out by the rising market, which has imposed losses on many short sellers.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• budding 
• enterprising 
• potential 
• prospective