want
want
(wɒnt )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense wants , present participle wanting , past tense, past participle wanted
1. verb [no cont, no passive]
If you want something, you feel a desire or a need for it.
I want a drink. [VERB noun]
Ian knows exactly what he wants in life. [VERB noun]
People wanted to know who this talented designer was. [VERB to-infinitive]
They began to want their father to be the same as other daddies. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
They didn't want people staring at them as they sat on the lawn, so they put up high walls. [VERB noun verb-ing]
He wanted his power recognised. [VERB noun -ed]
I want my car this colour. [VERB noun noun]
And remember, we want him alive. [V n adj/prep]
2. verb [no cont, no passive]
3. verb [no cont, no passive]
4. verb [no cont, no passive]
If you say to someone that you want something, or ask them if they want to do it, you are firmly telling them what you want or what you want them to do.
I want an explanation from you, Jeremy. [VERB noun]
If you have a problem with that, I want you to tell me right now. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
Do you want to tell me what all this is about? [VERB to-infinitive]
I want my money back! [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
5. verb [no cont, no passive]
6. verb [no cont, no passive]
[informal]
You want to be very careful not to have a man like Crevecoeur for an enemy. [VERB to-infinitive]
You want to look where you're going, mate. [VERB to-infinitive]
7. verb [usually passive]
If someone is wanted by the police, the police are searching for them because they are thought to have committed a crime.
They were wanted by the police. [be VERB-ed]
He has killed many in his time, and is wanted in at least three countries. [be VERB-ed]
He was wanted for the murder of a magistrate. [be VERB-ed + for]
wanted adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
He is one of the most wanted criminals in Europe.
8. verb
9. verb
10. verb [no cont]
If someone wants you in a particular place or role, they desire you to be in that place or role.
Albie wants you in his office. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
They didn't want her as attorney general. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
This is my territory. I want you out of here. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
11. singular noun
A want of something is a lack of it.
[formal]...a want of manners and charm. [+ of]
The men were daily becoming weaker from want of rest.
12. uncountable noun
13. plural noun [usually with poss]
Your wants are the things that you want.
She couldn't lift a spoon without a servant anticipating her wants and getting it for her.
Supermarkets often claim that they are responding to the wants of consumers by providing packaged foods. [+ of]
14.
15.
Phrasal verbs:
