What is want? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of want

wantverb

muốn

/wɒnt/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>want</b>

Where does the word want come from?

The word "want" has a fascinating history! It originates from the Old English word "wontan," which means "to be accustomed to" or "to be in the habit of." Over time, the meaning shifted to indicate a desire or yearning for something. By the 14th century, "want" emerged as a noun meaning "lack" or "need," and by the 16th century, it was used as a verb to express desirability. Interestingly, the original Old English word "wontan" is linked to the Proto-Germanic word "*wuntn," which carried a sense of movement towards something. This etymological connection suggests that the concept of desire or yearning is closely tied to the idea of movement or striving towards something. Who knew that the simple word "want" had such a rich and complex history?

Vocabulary summary want

typenoun

meaninglack, absence, deficiency

exampleto want for nothing

exampleit wants five minutes to seven

meaningneed, necessity

examplecommunism will not let anyone want

examplehair wants cutting: your hair needs to be cut

meaning(usually plural) needs, necessities

examplehe wants to go with us

examplewhat else do you want?

typetransitive verb

meaninglack, not have

exampleto want for nothing

exampleit wants five minutes to seven

meaningneed, need to have, need to use

examplecommunism will not let anyone want

examplehair wants cutting: your hair needs to be cut

meaningwant, want to have

examplehe wants to go with us

examplewhat else do you want?

Example of vocabulary wantwish

meaning

to have a desire or a wish for something/somebody

  • Do you want some more tea?
  • to want children/kids
  • to want peace/war/change
  • Voters want answers to these questions,
  • If you want more information, visit the website.

Example of vocabulary wantneed

meaning

to need something

meaning

to need somebody to be present in the place or for the purpose mentioned

Example of vocabulary wantshould/ought to

meaning

used to give advice to somebody, meaning ‘should’ or ‘ought to’

Example of vocabulary wantfeel sexual desire

meaning

to feel sexual desire for somebody

Example of vocabulary wantlack

meaning

to lack something

Synonyms and related words for want

Idioms of vocabulary want

have/want it both ways
to have or want to have the advantages of two different situations or ways of behaving that are impossible to combine
  • You can't have it both ways. If you can afford to go out all the time, you can afford to pay off some of your debts.
have/want none of something
to refuse to accept something
  • I offered to pay but he was having none of it.
  • They pretended to be enthusiastic about my work but then suddenly decided they wanted none of it.
have/want no truck with somebody/something
(formal)to refuse to deal with somebody; to refuse to accept or consider something
  • We in this party will have no truck with illegal organizations.
  • Dave wants no truck with change. For him, things are just fine as they are.
not want to know (about something)
(informal)to take no interest in something because you do not care about it or it is too much trouble
  • I've tried to ask her advice, but she doesn't want to know (= about my problems).
  • ‘How much was it?’ ‘You don't want to know’ (= it is better if you don't know).
want rid of somebody/something
(British English, informal)to want to be free of somebody/something that has been annoying you or that you do not want
  • Are you trying to say you want rid of me?
waste not, want not
(saying)if you never waste anything, especially food or money, you will always have it when you need it
    what do you want?
    used to ask somebody in a rude or angry way why they are there or what they want you to do

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