Word
wanna
Phoneticswan·na, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɑnə/
UK/wˈɒnɐ/
Definitions
01want to
A2 · Elementary Informal · American English
v. a casual way to say 'want to' when followed by another verb.
v. A colloquial contraction of 'want to' used before a verb; it is restricted to contexts where 'to' is not a preposition.
“I really wanna go to the cinema tonight if you are free.”
“Most people wanna believe that their hard work will eventually be recognised by the management, even without constant self-promotion.”
Usage
Used only in informal speech and writing; never appropriate for formal essays or business correspondence.
Pitfall
I wanna the beach.
I want to go to the beach.
In this sense, 'wanna' replaces 'want to' before a verb. You cannot use it as a replacement for the preposition 'to' in 'go to'.
Synonyms
02want a
B1 · Intermediate Informal · Slang
v. a casual way to say 'want a' when followed by a noun.
v. A colloquial contraction of 'want a' used before a noun phrase.
“Do you wanna drink or are you not thirsty yet?”
“If you wanna sandwich, you should probably grab one now before the café closes for the afternoon break.”
Usage
Less common in writing than the 'want to' sense, but frequent in rapid, casual speech.
Synonyms
Etymology
Contractions. Attested as early as 1824.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-2
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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