Want
WordNet
noun
(1) A specific feeling of desire
"He got his wish"
"He was above all wishing and desire"
(2) Anything that is necessary but lacking
"He had sufficient means to meet his simple needs"
"I tried to supply his wants"
(3) The state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
"There is a serious lack of insight into the problem"
"Water is the critical deficiency in desert regions"
"For want of a nail the shoe was lost"
(4) A state of extreme poverty
verb
(5) Wish or demand the presence of
"I want you here at noon!"
(6) Have need of
"This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner"
(7) Hunt or look for; want for a particular reason
"Your former neighbor is wanted by the FBI"
"Uncle Sam wants you"
(8) Feel or have a desire for; want strongly
"I want to go home now"
"I want my own room"
(9) Be without, lack; be deficient in
"Want courtesy"
"Want the strength to go on living"
"Flood victims wanting food and shelter"
WiktionaryText
Verb
- to wish for or desire (something).
- What do you want to eat?
- To lack (something).
- There was something wanting in the play.
- To require (something).
- That chair wants fixing. (= That chair requires to be fixed.)
Usage notes
- This is a catenative verb. See Appendix:English catenative verbs
- In sense 1 it takes the to infinitive.
- In sense 3 it takes the gerund (-ing).