wanted; wanting; wants
1
: to be needy or destitute
2
: to have or feel need
never wants for friends
3
: to be necessary or needed
4
: to desire to come, go, or be
the cat wants in
wants out of the deal
1
: to fail to possess especially in customary or required amount : lack
the answer wanted courtesy
2
a
: to have a strong desire for
wanted a chance to rest
b
: to have an inclination to : like
say what you want, he is efficient
3
a
: to have need of : require
the motor wants a tune-up
b
: to suffer from the lack of
thousands still want food and shelter
4
: ought
—used with the infinitive
you want to be very careful what you say—
Claudia Cassidy
Claudia Cassidy5
: to wish or demand the presence of
6
: to hunt or seek in order to apprehend
wanted for murder
Examples of want in a Sentence
Verb
Do you want more coffee?
He wants a bicycle for his birthday.
I just wanted a chance to rest.
She wanted more time to finish the test.
Do you want anything from the store?
What do you want for Christmas?
You can choose whichever color you want.
The motor wants a tune-up.
Thousands of poor people still want food and shelter.
Tell him that the teacher wants him.
Noun
His attitude shows a want of proper respect.
He is suffering from want of adequate sleep.
people who are living in want
Recent Examples on the Web
James McNicholas, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Leslie Cooley Dismukes, the new leader of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, wants North Carolina to get closer to the Mandela Rules, named after the late South African president Nelson Mandela.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Colin Bedell, Them., 30 May 2025
Casting directors also have to be diplomatic, balancing the wants of directors, studio chiefs, agents and film financiers.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
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show current usage.
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Verb
Typically, managers want players on the pitch — and players generally want to play.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Leslie Cooley Dismukes, the new leader of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, wants North Carolina to get closer to the Mandela Rules, named after the late South African president Nelson Mandela.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Noun
On June 5, Mercury sextiles Mars and supports a bold, direct conversation around romance, creativity, or personal wants.
—Colin Bedell, Them., 30 May 2025
Casting directors also have to be diplomatic, balancing the wants of directors, studio chiefs, agents and film financiers.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/want. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
want
1 of 2 verb
ˈwȯnt 
also ˈwänt,
ˈwənt
1
: to be without : lack
this coat is wanting a button
2
: to feel or have the need of : require
our house wants painting
3
: to desire, wish, or long for something
wanted a chance to play
4
: ought sense 2
you want to be very careful
5
: to seek in order to arrest
was wanted for murder
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