wanted

/ˈwɒntɪd/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɔntɪd] /ˈwɑːntɪd/ (ame, ipa)

wanted — adjective

  • wantedpositive
  • more wantedcomparative
  • most wantedsuperlative

1. If a person feels wanted, other people show that they are glad to have them ther

1.形容詞B1
釋義

If a person feels wanted, other people show that they are glad to have them there and need their company or help; before a noun, it describes someone people have strongly hoped for or badly needed.

例句

After he moved in, Sven soon felt wanted in the small village choir.

feel wanted (feeling valued by others)

The clinic finally found the much wanted nurse for its night shift.

much wanted + noun (badly needed person)

同義詞
  • welcome

    Focuses on friendly reception rather than deep emotional value.

  • valued

    Stresses respect for someone's worth, work, or qualities.

  • needed

    Emphasizes practical usefulness more than affection.

反義詞
  • unwanted

    Describes someone or something that is not wished for.

  • ignored

    Suggests a person is overlooked rather than welcomed.

文法句型

feel + wanted

much wanted + noun

make + someone + feel + wanted

用法筆記

This sense is common after verbs like 'feel' or 'make someone feel'. Before a noun, it often appears with words such as 'baby', 'guest', or 'addition' to show that someone or something was eagerly hoped for.

常見錯誤

❌She feels want in this class.
✅She feels wanted in this class.
💡after 'feel', use the adjective 'wanted', not the noun 'want'.
❌He is a wanted friend here.
✅He is a wanted guest here.' or 'He feels wanted here.
💡'wanted' usually describes welcome presence, not a permanent personal label like 'friend'.

2. Used of a person the police are trying to find and catch because that person is

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Used of a person the police are trying to find and catch because that person is believed to be connected with a crime.

例句

Posters showed the wanted robber at every station in the city.

wanted + criminal noun

The brothers hid for weeks after a wanted notice appeared online.

wanted notice

同義詞
  • sought

    More formal and often used in official announcements.

  • pursued

    Highlights active chasing, not just formal police status.

文法句型

be wanted by the police

wanted + criminal noun

wanted notice

用法筆記

This meaning is especially common in news reports and police notices. It often appears with 'by the police' after the adjective, or directly before nouns such as 'man', 'suspect', 'criminal', or 'poster'.

常見錯誤

❌He is wanted of the police.
✅He is wanted by the police.
💡use 'by' to name the authority looking for the person.
❌The wanted man is searched by police.
✅The man is wanted by the police.
💡'wanted' already means the police are trying to find him.