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

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

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Local clubs had not been geared up for the sudden rush of Jonny Wilkinson wannabes that descended on them after his drop-kick landed World Cup glory.

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But now their own existence is uncertain in the hands of media conglomerates intent on pleasing a wannabe dictator.

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She portrays a mystery novelist who teams with a young wannabe writer and influencer to investigate murders in a small New England town.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In early 1980, I was a wannabe poet working as a fry cook in Long Beach ...

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Related Words

• budding 
• enterprising 
• potential 
• prospective