- want
- want1 W1S1 [wɔnt US wo:nt, wa:nt] v [not usually in progressive]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(desire)¦2¦(need)¦3¦(offer)¦4¦(should)¦5 what do you want?6¦(ask for somebody)¦7¦(lack)¦8 if you want9 who wants ...?10 I just wanted to say/know etc11 I don't want to sound/be ..., but ...12¦(sex)¦Phrasal verbswant for somethingwant inwant out▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1100-1200; : Old Norse; Origin: vanta]1.) ¦(DESIRE)¦ [T]to have a desire for something▪ I really want a drink.▪ What do you want for your birthday?▪ She'd always wanted to go to Thailand.▪ I don't want Linda to hear about this.▪ He didn't want the holiday to end.▪ You can order whatever you want .▪ This shampoo is mild enough to use every day if you want .▪ If she doesn't get what she wants , she's not happy.▪ He wanted that job so badly he was willing to kill for it.▪ They desperately wanted a son.▪ What I want to know is when we're going to get paid.▪ All I want is the chance to prove myself.▪ Oh thank you, it's just what I've always wanted .see usage note ↑wish12.) ¦(NEED)¦ [T]used to say that you need something or to ask someone firmly to do something for you▪ Do you still want these magazines, or can I throw them out?want sth done▪ I want that letter typed today.want sb to do sth▪ I want you to find out what they're planning.▪ Do you want me to pick you up at the airport?make you want to cry/throw up etc(=give you a strong feeling that you must do something)▪ It always makes me want to sneeze.▪ What do you want with a tool kit (=what do you need it for) ?want doingBrE informal (=need to be done)▪ The carpet really wants cleaning.3.) ¦(OFFER)¦ [T]used when offering or suggesting something to someone▪ Do you want a drink?▪ Do you want me to come with you?▪ Want a game of chess?▪ Who wants a cup of coffee (=used to offer something to a group of people) ?4.) ¦(SHOULD)¦ [T]spoken especially BrE used to say that something is sensible or that someone should do it, especially when giving advicemay/might want to do sth▪ You might want to install anti-virus software.wouldn't want to do sth(=used to say something would not be a good idea)▪ I wouldn't want to come here at night.want to do sth▪ You want to see a doctor about that cough.▪ You don't want to leave that - it'll get wet.5.) 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?6.) ¦(ASK FOR SOMEBODY)¦ [T]to ask for someone to come and talk to you, or to come to a particular place▪ You're wanted on the phone.▪ Christine wants you in her office now.7.) ¦(LACK)¦ [I and T] formalto suffer because you do not have something▪ In many poorer countries, people still want basic food and shelter.8.) if you wanta) used to offer to do something▪ I'll come with you if you want.b) used to invite someone to do something or to give them permission▪ Join in if you want.▪ You can stay if you want to .c) 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.'9.) who wants ...?used to say that you do not like something or do not think that it is worth doing▪ Who wants to go to a noisy disco anyway?10.) I just wanted to say/know etcused to politely say something, ask about something etc▪ I just wanted to check that the meeting is still on next week.11.) I don't want to sound/be ..., but ...used to be polite when you are going to tell someone something that may upset them▪ I don't want to sound rude, but I think you've had too much to drink.12.) ¦(SEX)¦ [T] informalif you want someone, you want to have sex with themwant for [want for sth] phr vnot want for sth/want for nothingto have something you need, or everything you need▪ Say what you like, my kids never wanted for anything.want in phr v1.) especially AmE to want to be involved in something▪ You want in, Mike?2.) AmE to want to go into a place▪ The dog wants in.want out phr v1.) to want to stop being involved in something▪ She was fed up and she wanted out.2.) AmE to want to leave a place▪ I think the cat wants out.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬COLLOCATES for sense 1want to do somethingwant somebody to do somethingwant something to happenwhatever/anything you wantwhenever/wherever you want (to)if you want (to)get what you wantdo what you wantwant something badlydesperately want somethingwhat I want (to do) is ...all I want is ...just what I('ve) always wanted (=used to thank someone for a present that you really like)▬▬▬▬▬▬▬want 2want2 n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1 for (the) want of something2 for want of a better word/phrase etc3 not for want of something4 for want of anything better (to do)5¦(lack)¦6¦(no food/money etc)¦7 be in want of something▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) for (the) want of sthused to say that you do not have or cannot find what you need in a particular situation▪ The gallery closed down for want of funding.2.) for want of a better word/phrase etcused to say that you cannot find an exact word or phrase to describe something▪ They should behave, for want of a better word, decently.3.) not for want of sthused to say that even though something did not happen or succeed, it was not because you did not try hard enough or have what you needednot for want of (doing) sth▪ Well, if he doesn't get the job it won't be for want of trying !4.) 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.) ¦(LACK)¦ [U and C] formalsomething that you need but do not have▪ The report said there had been a disgraceful want of proper care.6.) ¦(NO FOOD/MONEY ETC)¦[U]a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc▪ the chronic want and deprivation in the townships7.) be in want of sthformal to need something▪ The house is sadly in want of repair.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
