Dictionary
want
Pronunciation: (wont, wônt), [key]—
v.t.
1. to feel a need or a desire for; wish for:
to want one's dinner; always wanting something new.
2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire (often fol. by an infinitive):
I want to see you. She wants to be notified.
3. to be without or be deficient in:
to want judgment; to want knowledge.
4. to fall short by (a specified amount):
The sum collected wants but a few dollars of the desired amount.
5. to require or need:
The house wants painting.
—
v.i.
1. to feel inclined; wish; like (often fol. by
to):
We can stay home if you want.
2. to be deficient by the absence of some part or thing, or to feel or have a need (sometimes fol. by
for):
He did not want for abilities.
3. to have need (usually fol. by
for):
If you want for anything, let him know.
4. to be in a state of destitution, need, or poverty:
She would never allow her parents to want.
5. to be lacking or absent, as a part or thing necessary to completeness:
All that wants is his signature.
6. want in or out, Chiefly Midland.
a. to desire to enter or leave:
The cat wants in.
b. Informal.to desire acceptance in or release from something specified:
I talked with Louie about our plan, and he wants in.
—
n.
1. something wanted or needed; necessity:
My wants are few.
2. something desired, demanded, or required:
a person of childish, capricious wants.
3. absence or deficiency of something desirable or requisite; lack:
plants dying for want of rain.
4. the state of being without something desired or needed; need:
to be in want of an assistant.
5. the state of being without the necessaries of life; destitution; poverty:
a country where want is virtually unknown.
6. a sense of lack or need of something:
to feel a vague want. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
