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| want [ wont ] |
transitive verb (past and past participle want·ed, present participle want·ing, 3rd person present singular wants) |
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| Definition: |
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1. desire something: to feel a need or desire for something
  We want a new car.
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2. wish something done: to desire to do something or that something be done
I don't want you being late.
He wants his steak well done.
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3. miss something: to feel the lack of something
After a week on the road, I want my own bed.
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4. wish somebody to be present: to wish to see or speak to somebody
He's wanted on the phone.
Someone wants you at the door.
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5. seek somebody as crime suspect: to seek somebody in connection with a crime
(
usually passive
)
wanted for two felonies
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6. need something: to have a need for something
(
informal
)
What that kid wants is some discipline!
The closets want cleaning.
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7. desire somebody sexually: to feel sexual desire for somebody
(
informal
)
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noun (plural wants) |
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| Definition: |
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1. need: something that somebody desires or needs
(
usually used in the plural
)
All your wants can be easily supplied.
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2. lack of something: an absence or scarcity of something
no want of snow for the skiers this winter
If we fail, it won't be for want of trying.
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3. poverty: the state of being poor
Freedom from want is a fundamental human right.
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| [12th century. < Old Norse vanta "be lacking" < Germanic, "lacking"] |
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| want·er noun |
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| Word Key: Synonyms |
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want, desire, wish, long, yearn, covet, crave
CORE MEANING: to seek to have, do, or achieve something
want to feel a need or desire for something;
What do you want for your birthday?
All I really wanted was to buy a house and settle down.
desire to want something very strongly;
He had everything that a man could desire - looks, talent, wealth.
She needed to conquer her phobia if she was to lead the normal happy life she so desired.
wish to have a strong feeling of wanting something to happen or wanting to have something;
We wished there was more time to arrange everything.
"I do wish we could help her somehow," sighed Christine.
long to have a strong desire for a person, place, or thing, especially somebody or something unattainable or not within immediate reach;
We've all been longing to see him.
She'd been longing for peace and quiet so that she could finish her book.
yearn to have a strong desire for somebody or something, especially when the desire is tinged with sadness;
peoples who yearn for freedom, democracy, equality, and human rights
covet to have a strong desire to possess something that belongs to somebody else, or (formal) to want to have something very much;
This is his third failure to win the post he so covets.
crave to have a strong desire for something;
She openly craves publicity.
Will craved fame and fortune. |
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