wanna

IPA/wˈɒnə/
KK[wˈɑnə]IPA/wˈɑːnə/

wanna — verb

  • wannapresent simple I / you / we / they
  • wannas3rd person singular
  • wannaing-ing form
  • wannaedpast simple

1. a shortened form of 'want to' used in casual speech and writing to express a des

1.verbB1
Definition

a shortened form of 'want to' used in casual speech and writing to express a desire, wish, or intention to do something — for example, saying you wanna go home, or asking if someone wanna join you for lunch.

Example

Defne and Anjali wanna start a food blog together.

wanna + bare infinitive for intention

Do you wanna grab a coffee after the meeting?

question form — no auxiliary inversion

Common collocations
  • wanna go
  • wanna see
  • wanna get
  • wanna know
  • wanna try
  • wanna come
Synonyms
  • want to

    the standard form — use in any register, while 'wanna' is restricted to informal contexts

  • feel like

    similar meaning but emphasises mood or inclination rather than fixed intention; slightly more casual

  • would like to

    more polite and formal; 'wanna' is direct and casual by comparison

Grammar Patterns

wanna + bare infinitive

wanna + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used in place of 'want to' in informal speech and casual writing (text messages, social media, dialogue in fiction). Avoid in formal essays, business letters, or academic writing. In questions, the auxiliary 'do' is still required in standard usage ('Do you wanna…?'), though the contraction itself already shortens 'want to.' The form 'wanna' is never used with a second 'to' — you cannot write 'wanna to go.'

Common Mistakes

I wanna to go home.
I wanna go home.
'wanna' already includes 'to,' so adding another 'to' is redundant.
I'm gonna wanna leave early.
I'm going to want to leave early.
double contractions are avoided in careful writing.
Wanna you come with me?
Do you wanna come with me?
the auxiliary 'do' is still needed for questions.

2. a shortened pronunciation of 'want a' in casual speech, used when expressing a d

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

a shortened pronunciation of 'want a' in casual speech, used when expressing a desire for a specific thing that could be counted or named — for example, saying you wanna slice of pizza, or asking if someone wanna drink.

Example

Talia, do you wanna slice of this chocolate cake?

wanna + noun phrase for wanting an object

Joon said they wanna new pair of running shoes for his birthday.

Common collocations
  • wanna drink
  • wanna bite
  • wanna piece
  • wanna shot
  • wanna chance
Synonyms
  • want a

    the standard written form; use 'wanna' only when deliberately mimicking casual speech

  • would like a

    more polite and formal

Grammar Patterns

wanna + noun phrase

Usage Note

This reading ('want a') is less standardised than 'wanna' standing for 'want to.' In writing, if the intended meaning is 'want a,' it is better to spell it out for clarity. The contraction arises naturally in rapid speech and is common in dialogue representation, but purists may consider it non-standard.

Common Mistakes

I wanna an apple.
I want an apple.' or 'I wanna apple.
'wanna' already contains the idea of 'a,' so 'wanna an' is repetitive.
She wanna the red one.
She wants the red one.
'wanna' cannot replace 'wants'; it is only a contraction of 'want to' or 'want a' (first-person / second-person / plural).

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three express a desire to do something, but they differ in formality and nuance. 'Want to' is the neutral, all-purpose form suitable for most situations. 'Wanna' is a casual contraction of 'want to' and is appropriate only in informal speech, text messages, and dialogue — never in formal writing. 'Feel like' emphasises mood or whim rather than a settled intention ('I feel like going for a walk' sounds spontaneous), whereas 'wanna' can also express a firm wish. 'Would like to' is the most polite option, used in requests and formal settings ('I would like to apply for the position'). In practice: 'I wanna go' (direct, casual), 'I feel like going' (mood-driven), 'I would like to go' (polite, formal).

want tofeel likewould like to

Common collocations

Nouns

  • wanna go
  • wanna see
  • wanna try
  • wanna come
  • wanna drink
  • wanna piece

Etymology

English

'Wanna' is a phonetic reduction of 'want to' that emerged in rapid connected speech in American English around the mid-20th century. It reflects the natural tendency in spoken English for adjacent consonants to merge: 'want to' /wɒnt tuː/ → /wɒnə/. The form became widely visible through pop culture, song lyrics, and informal writing. Similar reductions include 'gonna' (going to) and 'gotta' (got to).