# want

/ˈwɑnt/ (US) · /wˈɒnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/want
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to desire

verb · CEFR A1

to wish for something or want to do something.

For teachers: to feel a desire or wish for something; to crave or hanker after an object or action.

- I want to go to the park because the weather is beautiful.
- The investors want a clear commitment from the board before they agree to provide any further capital for the project.

Usage: Usually followed by a noun phrase or a 'to' infinitive.

### 2. to need or require

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to need something or require attention.

For teachers: to require or be in need of something; often used for objects that need maintenance.

- The garden really wants some water after this long dry spell.
- The old wooden fence wants painting before the winter rains cause the timber to rot.

Usage: Often followed by a gerund (-ing) in British English, e.g., 'the car wants washing'.

Teaching tip: This usage is more common in British English than American English.

### 3. giving advice

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

you use this when you are telling someone what they should do.

For teachers: used in the second person to offer advice or a recommendation, similar to 'should' or 'ought to'.

- You want to be careful when walking on those icy stairs.
- You want to make sure the contract is signed by both parties before you start any actual construction work.

Usage: Almost always used with 'you' as the subject.

### 4. a desire

noun · CEFR B1

a feeling of wanting something.

For teachers: a specific desire, wish, or longing for something.

- The child had a sudden want for a chocolate ice cream.
- The report highlights the public's growing want for more transparent government communication regarding environmental policies.

### 5. a lack

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a situation where there is not enough of something.

For teachers: the state of being without something necessary or desirable; a deficiency.

- The plants died for want of water during the summer.
- The project eventually failed, not for want of effort from the staff, but due to a total lack of financial support.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'for want of'.

### 6. poverty

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

the state of being very poor and not having what you need.

For teachers: a state of extreme poverty or destitution.

- The charity works to help families living in want and hunger.
- The Victorian novelist often depicted the stark contrast between the luxury of the upper classes and the desperate want of the urban poor.

Usage: Usually uncountable in this sense.

Teaching tip: Often found in older literature or formal discussions about social welfare.

## Examples

- I want a glass of water.
- Most people want to find a job that is both interesting and well-paid.
- While many citizens want immediate tax reform, economists argue that such drastic changes could destabilize the national market in the short term.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.