INDEX:
1. to want something or want to do something
2. to want something very much
3. to want something very much and be determined to get it
4. to want something that you are very unlikely to get
5. to have an aim in life that you want to achieve
6. a feeling that you want to do or have something
7. a sudden feeling of wanting something
8. something that you want to achieve in your life
9. to not want to do or have something
10. something that you do not want
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ PREFER
↑ WILLING
↑ NEED/NECESSARY
↑ LIKE OR SIMILAR
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1. to want something or want to do something
▷ want /wɒntǁwɑːnt, wɔːnt/ [intransitive/transitive verb not in progressive or passive]
▪ My parents moved out of London because they wanted a bigger house.
▪ Do you want milk in your coffee?
want to do something
▪ What do you want to do at the weekend?
▪ Stacey wants to be a doctor.
want somebody to do something
▪ She wants Tom to come to her party.
what somebody wants is
▪ What we want is a car that’s cheap and reliable.
if you want (to)
▪ You can go back to bed for a while if you want.
▷ would like /wʊd ˈlaɪk/ [transitive verb] especially spoken
use this as a polite way of asking for something, offering something, or saying what you want to do :
▪ We’d like some information about flights to Chicago, please.
▪ Would you like some more coffee?
would like to do something
▪ I’d like to reserve a room for Saturday.
▪ Would you like to borrow this book?
would like somebody to do something
▪ We would like you to attend an interview at 3:30 on Friday.
▷ feel like /ˈfiːl laɪk/ [verb phrase not in progressive or passive] especially spoken
to want to have something or do something, because you think you would enjoy it :
▪ I feel like a long, hot soak in the bath.
▪ It’s a lovely day - do you feel like a walk?
feel like doing something
▪ I feel like watching a movie tonight.
▷ wouldn’t mind /ˌwʊdnt ˈmaɪnd/ [verb phrase] spoken
to want to do or have something, but not very strongly :
▪ I wouldn’t mind another cup of coffee. How about you?
I wouldn’t mind doing something
▪ It was a really good play. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.
▷ wish /wɪʃ/ [intransitive/transitive verb not in progressive or passive] formal
to want to do something :
wish to do something
▪ I wish to purchase a second house in the UK for investment purposes.
▪ Anyone wishing to order the book should send a cheque to the publishers.
if you wish
▪ Everyone has the right to smoke if they wish, but not the right to ruin the health of those around them.
▷ I wouldn’t say no /aɪ ˌwʊdnt seɪ ˈnəʊ/
say this when you would like to do or have something :
▪ ‘How about a girls’ night out on the town?’ ‘I wouldn’t say no!’
I wouldn’t say no to
▪ I wouldn’t say no to a glass of whisky!
▷ be interested in /biː ˈɪntrə̇stə̇d ɪn/ [verb phrase]
to think that you may want to do something, buy something, or get involved in something :
▪ Melanie wants to be a lawyer, and Sam’s interested in a career in teaching.
be interested in doing something
▪ We’re interested in buying an apartment downtown.
▪ Would you be interested in going to the theatre with me on Friday? I have two tickets for ‘The King and I’.
▷ fancy /ˈfænsi/ [transitive verb not in progressive or passive] British informal
to want to have or do something :
▪ Do you fancy a drink?
▪ I think he’s always fancied a car like Lizzie’s.
fancy doing something
▪ I really fancy going for a swim.
▷ take your fancy /ˌteɪk jɔːʳ ˈfænsi/ [verb phrase not in progressive] informal
if something takes your fancy, you want to do or have it as soon as you see it or think of it :
▪ We could go to the movies or go out for a meal -- whatever takes your fancy.
▪ She wandered around the market stalls, stopping occasionally to look at something that took her fancy.
2. to want something very much
▷ wish /wɪʃ/ [transitive verb not in progressive or passive]
to want something to happen, when it is unlikely or impossible that it will happen, or when you cannot control what will happen :
wish (that)
▪ I wish I had a car like that.
▪ Beth wished she could stay there forever.
wish somebody/something would do something
▪ I wish they would turn that music down.
▷ would love /wʊd ˈlʌv/ [verb phrase] especially spoken
to want something very much, and feel that you would be happy if you had it :
▪ I would love a cup of coffee.
would love to do something
▪ She would love to have children, but she hasn’t met the right man.
▪ ‘Would you like to go on a Caribbean cruise?’ ‘I’d love to!’
would love somebody to do something
▪ My mother would love me to come and live in New York with her.
▷ would do anything/would give anything/would give your right arm /wʊd duː ˈeniθɪŋ, wʊd ˌgɪv ˈeniθɪŋ, wʊd ˌgɪv jɔːʳ ˌraɪt ˈɑːʳm/ [verb phrase]
if you say that you would do anything, would give anything or would give your right arm, you mean you very much want to have something or do something, especially something that is impossible to get or do :
would do anything/would give anything/would give your right arm for
▪ I would do anything for a drink right now!
▪ I would give anything for a look at that file.
would do anything/would give anything/would give your right arm to do something
▪ When she first started writing, she would have done anything to get an article printed.
▪ I’d give my right arm to be 21 again.
▷ be eager to do something also be keen to do something British /biː ˌiːgəʳ tə ˈduː something, biː ˌkiːn tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to want to do something very much, especially because you think it will be interesting or enjoyable or it will help other people :
▪ He’s really keen to meet you.
▪ I was eager to get my hands on these rare recordings.
▪ Donna is very eager to prove her worth to the group.
be keen for somebody to do something
▪ My parents were keen for me to be independent, and let me have a lot of freedom.
▷ be anxious to do something /biː ˌæŋkʃəs tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to want very much to do or achieve something, so that you make a great effort :
▪ Miles was anxious to gain his boss’s approval, and was always the last to leave the office in the evening.
▪ A newly-arrived executive is usually anxious to make his mark in a new firm.
be anxious for somebody/something to do something
▪ After the war, the government was anxious for the tourist industry to be revived.
▷ be dying /biː ˈdaɪ-ɪŋ/ [verb phrase]
to want something very much, and feel that you must have it or do it immediately :
be dying to do something
▪ I’m dying to meet Lisa’s new boyfriend.
be dying for
▪ I’m dying for a drink - let’s go to a bar.
▷ be desperate /biː ˈdesp ə rə̇t/ [verb phrase] especially British
to want or need something so much that you will be very unhappy or disappointed if you do not get it :
▪ I could see that they were desperate and needed help.
be desperate to do something
▪ After having four boys, the couple were desperate to have a little girl.
▪ We were desperate to view the inside of the house once we saw the garden.
be desperate for
▪ Newspapers are always desperate for stories.
▷ can’t wait /ˌkɑːnt ˈweɪtǁˌkænt-/ [verb phrase] spoken
say this when you want something to happen as soon as possible, because you know you will enjoy it and you are very excited about it :
▪ ‘You’re going on holiday soon, aren’t you?’ ‘Yes, I can’t wait.’
I can’t wait to do something
▪ I can’t wait to see Bill again - it’s been a long time.
can’t wait for
▪ I can’t wait for Christmas.
▷ be itching to do something /biː ˌɪtʃɪŋ tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to be impatient to do something that you are excited about, especially something you have not done before :
▪ She’s just itching to tell you about her new boyfriend.
▪ Despite her success, however, it just wasn’t much fun anymore. Liz was itching to try something different.
▷ need /niːd/ [transitive verb not in progressive or passive]
a word used especially in spoken English meaning to want something very much, especially something to eat, drink etc :
▪ I need a drink - coming to the bar?
▪ Dave’s been working really hard - he needs a holiday.
▷ crave /kreɪv/ [transitive verb]
to want as much of something as you can get, especially food, attention, or a drug :
▪ I’ve always craved love and acceptance.
▪ The review gave Picasso a taste of the recognition he craved.
3. to want something very much and be determined to get it
▷ set your sights on /ˌset jɔːʳ ˈsaɪts ɒn/ [verb phrase]
to decide that you want something that will be hard for you to get, and to make a very determined effort to achieve it :
▪ Now she’s set her sights on the manager’s job, nothing will stop her.
▪ Quite consciously, I set my sights on the best-looking boy in the whole school.
▷ set your heart on /ˌset jɔːʳ ˈhɑːʳt ɒn/ [verb phrase]
to want something so much that you will be very disappointed if you cannot have it or get it :
▪ We’ve set our hearts on this little house in the country.
set your heart on doing something
▪ I had set my heart on becoming a pilot.
4. to want something that you are very unlikely to get
▷ dream of /ˈdriːm ɒv/ [transitive verb]
to want something that you have wanted for a long time, but which you are unlikely to get :
▪ It was the kind of house I’d always dreamed of having.
▪ To think that what I’ve dreamt of all my life is coming true!
dream of doing something
▪ She dreamt of becoming a famous novelist.
▪ Every jazz-lover at some time of his life has dreamed of assembling a band of his own favourite musicians.
▷ long /lɒŋǁlɔːŋ/ [intransitive verb]
to very much want to have something or do something, especially when this used to happen or exist in the past, or when it may do in the future - used especially in stories or literature :
long for
▪ He longed for the good old days when teachers were shown respect.
▪ He was longing for everyone to leave, so that he could think in peace about what had happened that day.
long to do something
▪ More than anything, I long to have someone who loves me for myself.
longed-for /ˈlɒŋd fɔːʳǁˈlɔːŋd-/ [adjective only before noun]
▪ The day of the longed-for visit that people had been longing for eventually arrived.
▷ yearn /jɜːʳn/ [intransitive verb]
to want something so much that you do not feel happy or complete without it :
yearn for
▪ The people yearned for peace, and the chance to rebuild their shattered lives.
▪ Hannah yearned for a child, and felt desperately sad whenever she saw other women with their babies.
yearn to do something
▪ I have always yearned to travel.
▷ hanker after/for something /ˈhæŋkər ɑːftəʳ, fəʳ something ǁ-æf-/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to want something that you are unlikely to get very much, especially secretly, and over a long period of time :
▪ Paula had always hankered after a traditional white wedding.
▪ I had a good job and a nice apartment, but I still hankered for the country life.
5. to have an aim in life that you want to achieve
▷ want /wɒntǁwɑːnt, wɔːnt/ [transitive verb not in progressive or passive]
to be something
▪ What do you want to be when you grow up, Clare?
▪ You don’t really want to be a hairdresser, do you?
to do something
▪ I never want to work in a factory, having seen the effect it had on my father.
▪ I want to see life, to travel the world, and write about what I see.
▷ aspire to /əˈspaɪəʳ tuː/ [verb phrase] formal
to want a better job, way of life, position etc than the one you have now :
▪ She was a struggling writer aspiring to fame.
▪ He aspired to artistic perfection in all his paintings.
aspire to do something
▪ He aspired to become President.
▷ would-be also wannabe informal /ˈwʊd biː, ˈwɒnəbiǁˈwɑː-/ [adjective only before noun]
would-be actor/writer etc
someone who hopes to be an actor, writer etc :
▪ The Drama Centre is a great help for all would-be actors and actresses.
▪ Moon beat all the other wannabe quarterbacks, and was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.
▷ aspiring /əˈspaɪ ə rɪŋ/ [adjective only before noun]
aspiring teacher/model/poet etc
someone who wants to be a teacher, model, poet etc and is just starting work or training :
▪ a part-time course for aspiring chefs
▪ Like a lot of aspiring New York artists, Lara worked in bars and restaurants in the evenings.
6. a feeling that you want to do or have something
▷ desire /dɪˈzaɪəʳ/ [countable noun] especially written
a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wanting to do something, especially something important, which makes you try very hard to have it or do it :
desire to do something
▪ Young children have a keen desire to learn and succeed.
desire for
▪ After so many years of war, there was a great desire for peace.
a strong/keen/burning desire
▪ Young Peryoux left home for Paris, armed with a guitar, and a burning desire to succeed.
▷ wish /wɪʃ/ [countable noun] formal
something that you want to happen, especially when this is very important to you :
▪ His last wish was that his body should be buried in his home town.
somebody’s dearest/greatest wish
the thing they want most of all
▪ She always wanted to see her grandchildren again - it was her dearest wish.
▷ longing/yearning /ˈlɒŋɪŋǁˈlɔːŋ-, ˈjɜːʳnɪŋ/ [countable/uncountable noun]
a very strong and long-lasting desire for something that you are unlikely to get - used especially in stories and literature :
longing/yearning for
▪ She felt a great longing for the sights, sounds and smells of home.
▪ The story gives a sensitive account of Paul’s innocent yearning for love and affection.
longing/yearning to do something
▪ At 18 I had a strong yearning to leave my small town, and see the world.
▷ craving /ˈkreɪvɪŋ/ [countable noun]
a very strong and uncontrollable desire to have something that you think about all the time, especially food, attention, or a drug :
▪ After a week without smoking, the craving began to disappear.
craving for
▪ The symptoms include a craving for sweet foods.
▷ lust /lʌst/ [countable/uncountable noun]
a very strong desire to have something, such as money or power, that can make you do evil things to get what you want :
lust for
▪ Throughout his career he was motivated by a lust for power.
▪ Her lust for money is insatiable.
▷ appetite /ˈæpɪtaɪt, ˈæpətaɪt/ [countable noun]
a strong desire to have something regularly or do something regularly :
appetite for
▪ He has a tremendous appetite for hard work.
insatiable appetite
extremely strong appetite
▪ The public has an insatiable appetite for scandal and political controversy.
whet somebody’s appetite
make it stronger
▪ The dangers of the climb up Mt. Washington only whetted our appetite for more adventure.
▷ temptation /tempˈteɪʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
a strong desire to do something, even though you know it is wrong, dangerous, unnecessary etc :
temptation to do something
▪ There is always a temptation to blame others for your own problems.
resist the temptation
not do something, even though you want to
▪ Resist the temptation to get involved. After all, it’s not your problem.
give in to temptation
to do something, after trying not to
▪ In the end, he gave in to temptation, and lit his first cigarette in five days.
▷ compulsion /kəmˈpʌlʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
an extremely strong desire, usually an unreasonable one, that is difficult or impossible to control :
▪ The patient had a compulsion that caused him to wash his hands 20 or 30 times a day.
compulsion to do something
▪ He felt a sudden compulsion to laugh out loud.
7. a sudden feeling of wanting something
▷ urge /ɜːʳdʒ/ [countable noun]
a sudden strong feeling that you want to do something, especially a feeling that is difficult to control :
urge to do something
▪ She was seized with the urge to drag Alice from her chair and shake her.
feel/have an urge
▪ I felt a sudden urge to tell him all my problems.
fight an urge
try not to do something
▪ He was fighting the urge to drink as he waited for her to come down.
resist an urge
not do something, even though you want to
▪ Sheena resisted the urge to get in her car and go home.
▷ whim /wɪm/ [countable noun]
a sudden feeling that you would like to do something, especially when this is not sensible or when there is no reason at all to do it :
▪ I don’t know why I bought it. I suppose it was just a whim.
do something on a whim
do something because you feel a whim
▪ I went to visit her on a whim.
▷ impulse /ˈɪmpʌls/ [countable noun]
a sudden strong desire to do something before thinking about whether it is the right or sensible thing to do :
▪ My first impulse was to go straight to Henry and tell him my news, but on reflection I thought better of it.
▪ He has to learn to control his violent impulses.
on (an) impulse
because you feel an impulse
▪ It was an outfit that I had bought on impulse, and never worn.
8. something that you want to achieve in your life
▷ dream /driːm/ [countable noun]
something very special that you want to do and that you think about a lot, especially something that is not very likely to happen :
somebody’s dream is to do something
▪ Her dream was to go to Hollywood and become a movie star.
dream of doing something
▪ After the accident, Clarke had to give up his dream of becoming a racing driver.
somebody’s dream comes true
they finally do what they want
▪ Last year her dream came true and she was offered a chance to study in America.
▷ ambition /æmˈbɪʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
something which you want to achieve in the future, especially in your work, and which you will try hard to achieve :
somebody’s ambition is to do something
▪ Her ambition was to go to law school and become an attorney.
achieve/fulfil your ambition
finally do what you wanted to do
▪ Earlier this year, he achieved his ambition of competing in the Olympic games.
▷ goal /gəʊl/ [countable noun]
something important that a person, company, or government hopes to achieve in the future, even though it may take a long time :
achieve/reach a goal
▪ By 1975, they had achieved their goal of providing free education for every child.
somebody’s goal is to do something
▪ Our goal is to become the biggest-selling brand of coffee in the country.
short-term goal/long-term goal
one that you hope to achieve soon/a long time in the future
▪ I took a job as a teacher with the long-term goal of becoming a principal of a school.
▷ target /ˈtɑːʳgɪt, ˈtɑːʳgət/ [countable noun]
a particular amount or total that you want to achieve, for example an amount of products you must sell or produce :
▪ We produced 16,000 cars this year, but our target was 17,500.
achieve/reach/meet a target
▪ The Government is struggling to reach its target of $23 billion in spending cuts.
set (somebody) a target
say what the target is
▪ I set myself a target of learning 20 new words each week.
▷ aspirations /ˌæspɪˈreɪʃ ə nz, ˌæspəˈreɪʃ ə nz/ [plural noun]
a word meaning the important things that people want from their lives, used especially when you are talking about all of society or large groups within it :
▪ A government should reflect the hopes, values and aspirations of society.
▪ the aspirations of the people of Eastern Europe
aspirations for
▪ What are our aspirations for the future?
▪ The parents have very high aspirations for their children.
career/democratic/economic/political etc aspirations
▪ a handsome and rich young senator with presidential aspirations
high aspirations
▪ The immigrants who came to settle in America were determined people with high aspirations.
9. to not want to do or have something
▷ not want /nɒt ˈwɒntǁ-ˈwɑːnt/ [verb phrase]
not want to do something
▪ She doesn’t want to see me anymore.
▪ We asked him to come with us, but he said he didn’t want to.
not want somebody to do something
▪ ‘Why didn’t he tell me he was sick?’ ‘He didn’t want you to worry.’
▷ not feel like doing something /nɒt ˌfiːl laɪk ˈduːɪŋ something/ [verb phrase] especially spoken
to not want to do something, especially because you think you would not enjoy it or because you feel too lazy :
▪ I don’t feel like writing that essay today.
▪ Some days she just doesn’t feel like going to work.
▷ I’d rather not /aɪd ˌrɑːðəʳ ˈnɒtǁ-ˌræ-/ spoken
say this when you do not want to do something, especially because you think it may cause problems for you :
▪ I could lend him the money, but to be honest, I’d rather not.
I’d rather not do something
▪ I’d rather not talk about it right now.
▷ be unwilling to do something /biː ʌnˌwɪlɪŋ tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase] formal
to not want to do something, even though you should do it or someone wants you to do it :
▪ She is unwilling to admit that she was wrong.
▪ Most people here are unwilling to give up their cars and use buses and trains instead.
▷ you are welcome to something/you can keep something /juː ɑːʳ ˈwelkəm tə something, juː kən ˈkiːp something/ informal
you say that someone is welcome to something when you do not like it and you are happy for them to have it instead of you :
▪ She’s welcome to her smart friends and glittering parties -- I’ll take the quiet life anytime.
▪ He can keep his money -- he’s not going to bribe me!
▷ have no desire to do something /hæv ˌnəʊ dɪˌzaɪəʳ tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase] formal
to not want to do something, especially something that you are being asked or forced to do :
▪ Sarah had been to Harlow before, and had no desire to go there again.
▪ Richards tried to enlist my support, but I had no desire to get involved.
▷ I’d rather die /aɪd ˌrɑːðəʳ ˈdaɪǁ-ˌræ-/ spoken
use this to say strongly that you really do not want to do something that someone has suggested or mentioned :
▪ Apologize to that creep! I’d rather die!
10. something that you do not want
▷ undesirable /ˌʌndɪˈzaɪ ə rəb ə l◂/ [adjective]
something that is undesirable is not wanted because it could affect a person or situation in a bad way :
▪ The drug is effective, but has undesirable side effects, and long-term use can result in liver damage.
undesirable consequences/effects
▪ The incident could have undesirable consequences for the government.
▪ Environmentalists claim that the development will have undesirable effects on animal habitats in the area.
▷ unwanted /ʌnˈwɒntɪd, ʌnˈwɒntədǁ-ˈwɔːnt-, -ˈwɑːnt-/ [adjective]
use this about something that you are given or that happens to you that you do not want and did not ask for :
▪ There are several ways that you can remove unwanted hair, including waxing or electrolysis at a salon.
▪ Jones claimed that the President made unwanted sexual advances towards her, in a Little Rock hotel room.
unwanted pregnancy
▪ The pill was once expected to limit the number of unwanted pregnancies, but instead the number has soared.
▷ unwelcome /ʌnˈwelkəm/ [adjective]
likely to upset or cause problems for someone and therefore not wanted :
▪ Philippides returned with the unwelcome news that the army would not be ready to march for several days.
unwelcome publicity/attention
▪ Environmentalists had been drawing unwelcome attention to the discharge of radioactive waste from nuclear power-stations.
unwelcome intruder/intrusion
▪ Many people saw the immigrants as unwelcome intruders in their town.
unwelcome visitors/guests/callers
▪ Time is precious enough, without having to cope with unwanted visitors.