I. want 1 S1 W1 /wɒnt $ wɒːnt, wɑːnt/ BrE AmE verb [not usually in progressive]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ want ; noun : ↑ want ; adjective : ↑ wanted ≠ ↑ unwanted ]
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Old Norse ; Origin: vanta ]
1 . DESIRE [transitive] to have a desire for something:
I really want a drink.
What do you want for your birthday?
She’d always wanted to go to Thailand.
I don’t want Linda to hear about this.
He didn’t want the holiday to end.
You can order whatever you want.
This shampoo is mild enough to use every day if you want.
If she doesn’t get what she wants, she’s not happy.
He wanted that job so badly he was willing to kill for it.
They desperately wanted a son.
What I want to know is when we’re going to get paid.
All I want is the chance to prove myself.
Oh thank you, it’s just what I’ve always wanted.
2 . NEED [transitive] used to say that you need something or to ask someone firmly to do something for you:
Do you still want these magazines, or can I throw them out?
want something done
I want that letter typed today.
want somebody to do something
I want you to find out what they’re planning.
make you want to cry/throw up etc (=give you a strong feeling that you must do something)
It always makes me want to sneeze.
What do you want with a tool kit (=what do you need it for) ?
want doing British English informal (=need to be done)
The carpet really wants cleaning.
3 . OFFER [transitive] used when offering or suggesting something to someone:
Do you want a drink?
Do you want me to come with you?
Want a game of chess?
Who wants a cup of coffee (=used to offer something to a group of people) ?
4 . SHOULD [transitive] especially spoken British English used to say that something is sensible or that someone should do it, especially when giving advice
may/might want to do something
You might want to install anti-virus software.
wouldn’t want to do something (=used to say something would not be a good idea)
I wouldn’t want to come here at night.
want to do something
You want to see a doctor about that cough.
You don’t want to leave that – it’ll get wet.
5 . what do you want? used to ask, often in a slightly rude way, what someone wants you to give them, do for them etc:
What do you want now? I’m busy.
What do you want – chocolate or vanilla?
6 . ASK FOR SOMEBODY [transitive] to ask for someone to come and talk to you, or to come to a particular place:
You’re wanted on the phone.
Christine wants you in her office now.
7 . LACK [intransitive and transitive] formal to suffer because you do not have something:
In many poorer countries, people still want basic food and shelter.
8 . if you want
a) used to offer to do something:
I’ll come with you if you want.
b) used to invite someone to do something or to give them permission:
Join in if you want.
You can stay if you want to.
c) used when someone suggests doing something, to say that you will do it, although you do not especially want to:
‘Hey, shall we go to the beach?’ ‘If you want.’
9 . who wants ...? used to say that you do not like something or do not think that it is worth doing:
Who wants to go to a noisy disco anyway?
10 . I just wanted to say/know etc used to politely say something, ask about something etc:
I just wanted to check that the meeting is still on next week.
11 . I don’t want to sound/be ..., but ... used to be polite when you are going to tell someone something that may upset them:
I don’t want to sound rude, but I think you’ve had too much to drink.
12 . SEX [transitive] informal if you want someone, you want to have sex with them
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ very much
She very much wanted to do the right thing.
▪ badly
How badly do you want to win?
▪ desperately
He desperately wants his mum and dad to get back together.
▪ really
Do you really want to succeed?
▪ just
I just want to be left alone.
■ phrases
▪ whatever/anything you want
Now he can do whatever he wants.
▪ whenever you want
Joanna is happy for him to see his son whenever he wants.
▪ wherever you want
You can park wherever you want.
▪ if you want (to)
You can go if you want.
▪ get what you want
You’ve got what you wanted, so you might as well leave.
▪ do what you want
You can do what you want, instead of being told what to do.
▪ what I want to do is ...
What I want to do is develop the skills I already have.
▪ all I want is ...
All I want is a normal life.
▪ it’s just what I’ve always wanted (=used to thank someone for a present that you really like)
Thanks for the bread machine – it's just what I've always wanted.
want for something phrasal verb
not want for something/want for nothing to have something you need, or everything you need:
Say what you like, my kids never wanted for anything.
want in phrasal verb informal
1 . especially American English to want to be involved in something:
You want in, Mike?
2 . to want to go into a place:
The dog wants in.
want out phrasal verb informal
1 . to want to stop being involved in something:
She was fed up and she wanted out.
2 . to want to leave a place:
I think the cat wants out.
II. want 2 BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ want ; noun : ↑ want ; adjective : ↑ wanted ≠ ↑ unwanted ]
1 . for (the) want of something used to say that you do not have or cannot find what you need in a particular situation:
The gallery closed down for want of funding.
2 . for want of a better word/phrase etc used to say that you cannot find an exact word or phrase to describe something:
They should behave, for want of a better word, decently.
3 . not for want of (doing) something used to say that even though something did not happen or succeed, it was not because you did not try hard enough or have what you needed:
Well, if he doesn’t get the job it won’t be for want of trying!
4 . for want of anything better (to do) if you do something for want of anything better, you do it only because there is nothing else you want to do
5 . LACK [uncountable and countable] formal something that you need but do not have:
a disgraceful want of proper care
6 . NO FOOD/MONEY ETC [uncountable] a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc:
the chronic want and deprivation in the townships
7 . be in want of something formal to need something:
The house is sadly in want of repair.