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want

 
pronunciation:
want
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
phrases:
want in, want out
features:
Word Combinations (noun), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: wants, wanting, wanted
definition 1: to desire (something); wish for.
He wants a bicycle for his birthday.The workers want better pay.I want for my children to have a better life.[verb + for smby/smth + infinitive ]
synonyms:
desire, wish
similar words:
covet, crave, hanker after, hanker for, long for, yearn for
definition 2: to wish or desire (to do something).
I want to move back to the city.[verb + infinitive ] She wants to receive the respect she deserves.[verb + infinitive ]
synonyms:
desire, wish
similar words:
ask, crave, demand, prefer, request, supplicate, will
definition 3: to desire (someone or something) to do something, to be in a certain condition or place, or to be acted upon in a certain way.
She wants her husband to accept the job offer.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ] My mother wants me to live closer to her.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ] I only want you to be happy.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ] He wants the kitchen to be clean at all times.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ] She wants the children ready to pick up by five o'clock.[verb + smby/smth + noun/adj ] I want you in my office in ten minutes.The police want this area kept clear.[verb + smby/smth + past participle ] He wants these boxes taken down to the basement.[verb + smby/smth + past participle ]
definition 4: to be lacking in or needing.
This room wants color; it's so drab!
synonyms:
lack, need, require
similar words:
demand, miss
definition 5: (chiefly British) to require; need.
These shoes want polishing.[verb + gerund ] The sofa covers want replacing.[verb + gerund ]
synonyms:
need, require
similar words:
demand
definition 6: to seek in order to capture.
The police want him for armed robbery.
synonyms:
seek
similar words:
chase, hunt, pursue, search
definition 7: to demand or hope to obtain from another person or thing (usu. fol. by "from" or "of").
What do you want of me? I'm only human!He wants respect from his co-workers.You seem to want a good deal from this new job.
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to be lacking; be in need.
He worked hard to make sure his children never wanted for food or shelter.She had never wanted for suitors as a young princess.
synonyms:
need
similar words:
crave, demand, hanker, wish, yearn
definition 2: to be inclined; wish; like.
Come over if you want.
synonyms:
care, like, wish
similar words:
choose, decide, please
definition 3: to be utterly poor; be destitute.
Don't we have a moral obligation to help those who are wanting?
similar words:
lack, need
phrase: want in, want out
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: something that is desired or needed.
She was quite satisfied with her life at this point and had few wants.That his wife should be provided for after his death was his only want.
synonyms:
exigency, necessity, need, requisite
similar words:
demand, desire, essential, hope, lack, longing, mind, requirement, yearning, yen
definition 2: lack; deficiency.
They starved for want of food.
synonyms:
absence, deficiency, destitution, lack, need
similar words:
dearth, insufficiency, paucity, penury, poverty, privation, scarcity, shortage
definition 3: the state of lacking something; need.
The children were always in want of shoes.
synonyms:
necessity, need
similar words:
craving, desire, hope, longing, privation, wish
definition 4: the state of lacking in the usual necessities of life; destitution.
The charity was established to help those in want.
synonyms:
destitution, indigence, need, penury, poverty
similar words:
beggary, hardship, misery, necessity, privation
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