want
A1Universal. Neutral in most contexts, though can be informal when expressing strong desire (e.g., "I want it now!"). The noun form is slightly more formal.
Definition
Meaning
to desire or wish for something; to lack or require something.
The fundamental human impulse toward acquisition, possession, or experience, often implying an absence that creates a psychological or physiological demand. Can denote necessity, lack, or desire with varying intensity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Bridges the concepts of 'desire' and 'need.' Can be stative (describing a state of desire) or dynamic (expressing a demand). The negative 'don't want' often functions as a softer refusal than 'won't' or 'refuse.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. British English may slightly more readily use 'want' with a past participle in informal constructions (e.g., 'This wants cleaning'), though this is archaic/regional. 'Want for' meaning 'lack' is more common in formal BrE.
Connotations
Equally neutral in both varieties. The directness of 'I want...' is culturally acceptable in both, though sometimes softened with 'I'd like...' in polite contexts.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency of the noun form ('in want of') in historical or literary BrE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP want NP (I want a coffee)NP want to-VP (She wants to leave)NP want NP to-VP (They want him to stay)NP want NP V-ed (He wants the report finished)NP want for NP (formal: She did not want for courage)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “want for nothing”
- “leave a lot to be desired”
- “be found wanting”
- “what do you want? (aggressive)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in requirements analysis ('The client wants a scalable solution'), negotiations, and stating objectives.
Academic
Less frequent; often replaced by 'require,' 'necessitate,' 'desire,' or 'lack.' Found in philosophy/psychology discussing human motivation.
Everyday
Ubiquitous for expressing desires, needs, and preferences.
Technical
In computing/user stories: 'The user wants to save their progress.' In economics: 'effective demand.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The project failed for want of adequate funding.
- He lived a life free from want.
- Her kindness filled a want he hadn't acknowledged.
American English
- The initiative died for want of support.
- A society that seeks to address basic human want.
- The new feature satisfied a clear user want.
verb
British English
- Do you want a biscuit with your tea?
- The garden wants weeding, I'm afraid.
- He's always wanted to visit the Highlands.
American English
- Do you want a cookie with your coffee?
- This door wants fixing.
- She wanted to major in political science.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I want an apple.
- They want to go home.
- She doesn't want coffee.
- What do you want to do this weekend?
- The manager wants the report by Friday.
- We wanted to help but didn't know how.
- The legislation is wanting in several key areas.
- If you want for anything during your stay, please ask.
- He was found wanting when the crisis hit.
- The theory, while elegant, wants empirical validation.
- She has never wanted for admirers, yet remains solitary.
- The director's latest film is a masterful study in want and desire.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WANT rhymes with 'haunt' – a desire that can haunt you until it's fulfilled.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER (I'm hungry for success), LACK IS AN EMPTY CONTAINER (The room wanted decoration).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid overusing 'want' for polite requests where 'would like' is better. Russian 'хотеть' maps directly, but English often uses modal verbs ('I'd like to...', 'Could I have...') for politeness. The construction 'want that...' (e.g., *I want that you go) is incorrect; use 'want you to go'.
Common Mistakes
- *I want that she comes. (Correct: I want her to come.)
- *What do you want that I do? (Correct: What do you want me to do?)
- Using 'want' instead of 'need' for true necessity.
- Overusing in formal writing where 'require' or 'desire' is more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most natural and polite request in a formal service context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Would like' is more polite and tentative. 'Want' is more direct and can sound demanding in formal requests. Use 'would like' in service situations.
Yes, but it changes meaning slightly. 'I'm wanting to...' emphasizes a temporary or evolving desire, whereas 'I want to...' states a general desire. The continuous form is more informal and less common.
Primarily, yes. It typically describes a state of mind (desire). However, it can be used dynamically, especially in informal contexts ('Stop wanting things you can't have!') or in continuous forms to emphasize temporariness.
It's an idiom meaning 'to lack nothing' or 'to have everything one needs or desires.' It describes a state of complete material or emotional satisfaction.