A1verb 1K

Want

UK /["/wɒnt/","/wɒnts/","/ˈwɒntɪd/","/ˈwɒntɪŋ/"]/ US /["/wɑːnt/","/wɑːnts/","/ˈwɑːntɪd/","/ˈwɑːntɪŋ/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

to have a desire or a wish for something/somebody

Listen to definition

In simple words: to desire or wish for something

Examples

• I want to eat pizza for dinner.
• Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
• She wants a new bike for her birthday.
• He wants to learn how to play the guitar.
• They want to travel to Europe next summer.
• I want to stay home and read a book.

Usage notes

Use 'want' in everyday conversations to express desires. It is appropriate in most contexts but may sound too direct in very formal situations. For example, saying 'I want a promotion' might be better expressed as 'I would like a promotion' in a job interview.

Grammar pattern

want + object

Memory hint

Think of 'want' as 'wand' — imagine waving a magic wand to get what you desire.

Collocations

• badly
• desperately
• really
• all you want
• exactly what you want
• just what you want

Synonyms

• be short of

Antonyms

• dislike
• refuse
• reject

Common mistakes

• Using 'want' with gerunds incorrectly, e.g., 'I want going.' should be 'I want to go.'
• Confusing 'want' with 'need' — 'need' expresses necessity, while 'want' shows desire.
• Overusing 'want' in formal writing instead of more polite alternatives like 'would like' or 'desire.'