I. ˈwȯnt also ˈwänt & ˈwənt verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse vanta; akin to Old English wan deficient
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1. : to be needy or destitute
2. : to have or feel need
never want s for friends
3. : to be necessary or needed
4. : to desire to come, go, or be
the cat want s in
want s out of the deal
transitive verb
1. : to fail to possess especially in customary or required amount : lack
the answer want ed courtesy
2.
a. : to have a strong desire for
want ed 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 want s 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
5. : to wish or demand the presence of
6. : to hunt or seek in order to apprehend
want ed for murder
Synonyms: see desire
II. noun
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : deficiency , lack
suffers from a want of good sense
b. : grave and extreme poverty that deprives one of the necessities of life
2. : something wanted : need , desire
3. : personal defect : fault
Synonyms: see poverty