want
/wɒnt/ (bre, ipa) · /wɑːnt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwȯnt also ˈwänt and ˈwənt/ (ame, mw)
want — verb
- wantpresent simple I / you / we / they
- wantshe / she / it
- wantedpast simple
- wanting-ing form
1. to feel a wish to have, do, or get something — for instance, a new bicycle, a be
to feel a wish to have, do, or get something — for instance, a new bicycle, a better job, or the chance to travel abroad
Inês wants a new bicycle for her tenth birthday.
want + noun (desired object)
Élise is saving money because she wants to travel to Japan next year.
want + to-infinitive
Do you want some more rice, or are you full?
The children want to go to the park after school today.
Bao wants a quiet place where he can read his books.
- wish
more formal and often used for hypothetical or impossible desires
- would like
polite alternative, preferred in requests and offers
- desire
stronger and more formal; suggests deep feeling
- reject
to refuse to accept or consider something offered
文法句型
want + noun
want + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a to-infinitive or a noun phrase. In polite requests, 'would like' is preferred over 'want' (e.g. 'I would like a coffee, please').
常見錯誤
2. to need or wish for a particular person to be in a place or to take part in an a
to need or wish for a particular person to be in a place or to take part in an activity
The manager wants you in her office at three o'clock.
want + person + place phrase
Dahlia's parents want her home before it gets dark.
The team wants Esteban on the project because of his experience.
The director wants all the actors on stage by seven.
文法句型
want + person
want + person + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Often used in workplace and family contexts to request someone's presence. The person wanted is typically named as the direct object, followed by a location or purpose phrase.
常見錯誤
3. to have a desire to become involved in an activity, group, or plan that has alre
to have a desire to become involved in an activity, group, or plan that has already been started by others
Hari saw the basketball game and wanted to join in.
want + to join in (involvement)
When Layla heard about the beach trip, she said she wanted in.
informal: want in
Some neighbours are having a street party, and many families want to join.
After watching the cooking show, Kwame wanted to get involved in the class.
- wish to participate
more formal and less common
- be keen to join
British English; expresses enthusiasm
- opt out
to choose not to participate
文法句型
want + to-infinitive + in
want in
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'in' or 'to + verb of participation'. The informal expression 'want in' omits the infinitive entirely and is common in spoken American English.
常見錯誤
4. to wish to end one's participation in a situation, agreement, or relationship
to wish to end one's participation in a situation, agreement, or relationship
After the argument, Nila told her partner she wanted out of the deal.
informal: want out of [situation]
The singer decided she wanted to leave the band after the tour.
Brian signed up for the club but quickly wanted out when he saw the schedule.
When the project grew too demanding, several members wanted to drop out.
- wish to withdraw
more formal; used in official contexts
- opt out
neutral; implies a formal decision
- drop out
usually for courses, competitions, or groups
- want in
to want to become involved
文法句型
want out
want + to-infinitive + out of
用法筆記
The informal phrasal expression 'want out' is very common in spoken English, especially for ending commitments. More formal alternatives include 'wish to withdraw' or 'wish to end one's involvement'.
常見錯誤
5. to need something because it is necessary for a particular purpose — for example
to need something because it is necessary for a particular purpose — for example, a plant wants water, or a recipe wants salt
The plants want water every day in this hot weather.
want + noun (what is needed)
Your car wants a new tyre before you drive that far.
This soup wants a little more salt to bring out the flavour.
The old wooden fence wants painting before winter arrives.
Romi's jacket wants mending — there is a tear in the sleeve.
- have
to possess something that is needed
文法句型
want + noun
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'need' but is slightly less common in modern everyday English except in fixed expressions. Common with inanimate subjects (cars, houses, fences, food).
常見錯誤
6. used to suggest that a person would be wise to do something — for instance, sayi
used to suggest that a person would be wise to do something — for instance, saying you want to check the oil before a long drive means you should check it
You want to take an umbrella — the forecast says rain.
want to (advice): you should
If you are visiting Kyoto, you want to book your hotel early.
You really want to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain.
Before you sign the form, you want to read every line carefully.
文法句型
want + to-infinitive (advice)
用法筆記
Common in informal spoken advice. The subject is almost always 'you'. 'You want to…' is softer and friendlier than 'you should…' or 'you must…'.
常見錯誤
want — noun
1. a situation in which something that is needed, expected, or desirable is not pre
a situation in which something that is needed, expected, or desirable is not present
The project failed for want of enough funding.
for want of (lack of something)
For want of a better plan, they decided to wait.
Many species are in danger because of a want of suitable habitats.
The child showed a complete want of manners at the dinner table.
- lack
the more common and natural modern alternative
- absence
neutral; describes something not being there
- deficiency
suggests an insufficient amount rather than a complete absence
- abundance
a large quantity of something
文法句型
for want of + noun
用法筆記
This sense is used mostly in formal or literary English. The fixed phrase 'for want of' means 'because of a lack of'. It is often followed by a noun or a gerund.
常見錯誤
2. the condition of requiring something that is necessary for a purpose — for examp
the condition of requiring something that is necessary for a purpose — for example, a want of experience that makes a task difficult
The report showed a want of proper planning in the early stages.
want of [something needed]
Her work suffers from a want of attention to detail.
There was no want of effort — everyone tried very hard.
The team's want of experience showed during the final match.
- surplus
an amount that is more than needed
文法句型
want of + noun
用法筆記
Typically found in the fixed pattern 'a want of [abstract noun]'. More commonly replaced by 'lack' or 'need' in everyday conversation. Frequently appears in literary and formal criticism.
常見錯誤
3. the things that a person or group must have in order to live comfortably or func
the things that a person or group must have in order to live comfortably or function properly
Their basic wants include food, clean water, and shelter.
basic wants: essential needs
The charity provides for the wants of local families living in poverty.
A good school system must address the wants of students from all backgrounds.
Her salary barely covers her daily wants and leaves nothing for savings.
- needs
the more common and natural term in modern English
- requirements
formal; often in official or technical contexts
- necessities
emphasises that these things are essential
- luxuries
things that are nice to have but not essential
文法句型
wants (plural)
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural form 'wants' to refer to everyday needs. In economics, 'wants' is used alongside 'needs' to describe what people require or desire for a reasonable standard of living.
常見錯誤
4. the condition of being extremely poor, without even the basic things needed to s
the condition of being extremely poor, without even the basic things needed to stay alive
After the war, many families lived in want and could barely find food.
formal: in want (extreme poverty)
The charity was founded to help those in want during the harsh winter.
His novels describe the lives of people who grew up in want and hardship.
They had never known want until the factory closed and the money ran out.
- poverty
the standard modern term; broader in meaning
- destitution
even more extreme than 'want'; suggests complete deprivation
- need
softer and broader; used in phrases like 'those in need'
- wealth
having plenty of money and resources
文法句型
in want
用法筆記
Primarily used in literary, historical, or formal writing. 'In want' is the common fixed expression. In everyday modern English, 'poverty' or 'destitution' is more usual.