# wanted

/ˈwɔntɪd/ (US) · /wˈɒntɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. sought by police

adjective · CEFR B1

used to describe a person that the police are trying to find and catch.

For teachers: sought for questioning or arrest by law enforcement authorities in connection with a crime.

- The man was wanted by the police for a robbery he committed last year.
- The suspect remained wanted for several months before being apprehended by federal agents at a remote border crossing.

### 3. desired or needed

adjective · CEFR B2

something that people wish for or that is needed in a certain place.

For teachers: desired, sought after, or required in a specific context or environment.

- His help was much wanted during the busy holiday season.
- The new community centre provided much-wanted services to the local youth, filling a gap that had existed for decades.

## Examples

- She wanted a glass of water after her long walk.
- The manager wanted the report finished by Friday afternoon to prepare for the weekend board meeting.
- The protagonist spent his entire life searching for a sense of belonging that he had always wanted but never quite managed to secure in his hometown.

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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.