- want
- 1
verb (not usually in progressive)
1 DESIRE (T) to have a desire for something: I want a drink. | What do you want for your birthday? | want to do sth: Do you want to go to Kay's party? | want sb to do sth: I don't want Linda to hear about this. | want sth of sb formal (=want someone to do something): I wish I knew what he wanted of me.2 NEED (T) to need something: Do you still want these magazines, or can I throw them out? | want to do sth: You only want to use a little glue. | want sth done: I want that letter typed today. | what sb wants with sth (=what someone needs something for): What do you want with a tool kit? | want doing especially BrE informal (=need to be done): The carpet really wants cleaning.3 ASK FOR SB (T) to ask for someone to come and talk to you, or to come to a particular place: You're wanted on the phone.4 SHOULD (T) spoken especially BrE ought or should: want to do sth: You want to see a doctor about that cough.5 LACK (I, T) formal to suffer because you do not have something: In many poorer countries, people still want basic food and shelter.6 want in/out informala) especially AmE to want to go in to or out of a place: The cat wants out.b) to want to take part in a plan or stop being involved: If you want out, say so now.—see also: wanted, wanting, waste not, want not waste 2 (7)7 I want/I don't want: I want a new coat. | I don't want to go out tonight.8 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?9 do you want...? used when offering something to someone: Do you want a drink? | Do you want me to come with you?10 who wants...?a) used to say that you do not like something, do not think that it is worth doing etc: Who wants to go to a noisy disco anyway?b) used when offering something to a group of people: Who wants a cup of coffee?11 if you want 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.”12 I want you to do something used to tell someone to do something: I want you to go and get me a newspaper.13 want...? used when offering something to someone: Want a game of chess?14 what I want used to explain or say exactly what it is that you want: What I want is a car that's cheap and reliable.15 all I want used to say that you only want something simple or small, and you think it is fair to ask for it: Look, all I want is a decent job. It's not much to ask for, is it?16 you don't want used to advise someone not to do something: You don't want to go there, it's much too crowded.17 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.18 it's/that's just what I (always) wanted used to say that you like a present you have just been given very muchwant for sth phrasal verb (T) to not have something that you need: Say what you like, my kids never wanted for anything. 2 noun1 LACK (C, U) formal something that you need but do not have: for want of sth (=because of a lack of something): People often take casual jobs in catering for want of any alternative. | satisfy a want (=give someone what they need)2 SITUATION WITHOUT FOOD/MONEY (U) a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc: They had lived all their lives in want3 for want of a better word/term/phrase used to say that there is no exact word to describe what you are talking about: a feeling that, for want of a better word, we call love4 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 do5 not for want of trying/asking etc used to say that you should have got what you wanted because you tried very hard or asked for it many times: Well, if he doesn't get the job it won't be for want of trying!6 be in want of sth formal to need something: a creaking house, in want of repair
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.
