want

American  

[wont, wawnt] / wɒnt, wɔnt /

verb (used with object)

1. to feel a need or a desire for; wish for.

   to want one's dinner; always wanting something new.

   Synonyms:

   crave, require

2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire (often followed by an infinitive).

   I want to see you.

   She wants to be notified.

3. to be without or be deficient in.

   to want judgment; to want knowledge.

   Synonyms:

   need

4. to fall short by (a specified amount).

   The sum collected wants but a few dollars of the desired amount.

5. to require or need.

   The house wants painting.

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verb (used without object)

1. to feel inclined; wish; like (often followed byto ).

   We can stay home if you want.

2. to be deficient by the absence of some part or thing, or to feel or have a need (sometimes followed byfor ).

   He did not want for abilities.

3. to have need (usually followed byfor ).

   If you want for anything, let him know.

4. to be in a state of destitution, need, or poverty.

   She would never allow her parents to want.

5. to be lacking or absent, as a part or thing necessary to completeness.

   All that wants is his signature.

noun

1. something wanted or needed; necessity.

   My wants are few.

   Synonyms:

   desideratum

2. something desired, demanded, or required.

   a person of childish, capricious wants.

3. absence or deficiency of something desirable or requisite; lack.

   plants dying for want of rain.

   Synonyms:

   paucity, insufficiency, inadequacy, scarcity, dearth

4. the state of being without something desired or needed; need.

   to be in want of an assistant.

5. the state of being without the necessaries of life; destitution; poverty.

   a country where want is virtually unknown.

   Synonyms:

   indigence, penury, privation

6. a sense of lack or need of something.

   to feel a vague want.

idioms

1. want in / out,

   1. to desire to enter or leave.

      The cat wants in.

   2. Informal. to desire acceptance in or release from something specified.

      I talked with Louie about our plan, and he wants in.

want ¹ British  

/ wɒnt /

verb

1. (tr) to feel a need or longing for

   I want a new hat

2. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to wish, need, or desire (something or to do something)

   he wants to go home

3. to be lacking or deficient (in something necessary or desirable)

   the child wants for nothing

4. (tr) to feel the absence of

   lying on the ground makes me want my bed

5. (tr) to fall short by (a specified amount)

6. (tr) to have need of or require (doing or being something)

   your shoes want cleaning

7. (intr) to be destitute

8. (tr; often passive) to seek or request the presence of

   you're wanted upstairs

9. (intr) to be absent

10. informal (tr; takes an infinitive) should or ought (to do something)

    you don't want to go out so late

11. informal to wish to be included in a venture

12. informal to wish to be excluded from a venture

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noun

1. the act or an instance of wanting

2. anything that is needed, desired, or lacked

   to supply someone's wants

3. a lack, shortage, or absence

   for want of common sense

4. the state of being in need; destitution

   the state should help those in want

5. a sense of lack; craving

want ² British  

/ wɒnt /

noun

1. dialect a mole

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want More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing want

• waste not, want not

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Usage

What are other ways to say want? To want is to feel a need or a desire for something. How is want different from desire and wish? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

• self-want
  noun
• unwanted
  adjective
• wanter
  noun
• wantless
  adjective
• wantlessness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of want

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English wante, from Old Norse vanta “to lack”

Explanation

In all its forms, want has to do with the lack of having and the desire to have. You can want or desire something you’d like, or you can be in want of something you need. The word want goes back to the 12th century and the Old Norse language, where vanta meant "to be deficient," or “in want.” If someone keeps bugging you, you might lose patience and ask, "What do you want?" If you are seeking employment, check the "want ads" or look for signs saying "Help Wanted." If you are a "wanted criminal," you might have trouble getting hired.

Example Sentences

“We always want to innovate and test. That’s something that was exciting to us to think about bringing our audience new content in different places.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

I want the biggest audience possible,’ ” Verdigets says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Hammond and George were among parents who told BBC Your Voice they want to see an overhaul of the CMS so mistakes like this don't happen again.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

For a time, people will want every barrel they can get.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

I tell her that there are some repairs ongoing there, and I don’t want to get in the way, and then I change the subject and ask her about her book club.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• choose
• crave
• need
• prefer
• require
• wish