v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. a (often foll. by to + infin.) desire; wish for possession of; need (wants a toy train; wants it done immediately; wanted to leave; wanted him to leave). b need or desire (a person, esp. sexually). c esp. Brit. require to be attended to in esp. a specified way (the garden wants weeding). d (foll. by to + infin.) colloq. ought; should; need (you want to pull yourself together; you don't want to overdo it).
2 intr. (usu. foll. by for) lack; be deficient (wants for nothing).
3 tr. be without or fall short by (esp. a specified amount or thing) (the drawer wants a handle).
4 intr. (foll. by in, out) esp. US colloq. desire to be in, out, etc. (wants in on the deal).
5 tr. (as wanted adj.) (of a suspected criminal etc.) sought by the police.
--n.
1. (often foll. by of) a a lack, absence, or deficiency (could not go for want of time; shows great want of judgement). b poverty; need (living in great want; in want of necessities).
2 a a desire for a thing etc. (meets a long-felt want). b a thing so desired (can supply your wants).
Phrases and idioms:
do not want to am unwilling to. want ad US a classified newspaper advertisement for something sought.
Derivatives:
wanter n.
Etymology: ME f. ON vant neut. of vanr lacking OE wana, formed as WANE