want

Less common meanings

4. 4
   a desirenouncountable

   Something you wish for or need, as in 'all our wants and needs'.

   Advertisements try to turn simple wants into things we think we need.

   A small child cannot tell a want from a real need.

   UsageUsually plural: basic wants.

   Similardesire, need, wish, longing, yearning

5. 5
   desire sexuallyverbtransitive

   To be attracted to someone and wish to be with them romantically or sexually.

   I think you still want her, even after all these years.

   He has wanted her ever since they danced together at the party.

   Similardesire, fancy

   Note
6. 6
   lacknouncountable

   A lack of something, often used with 'of'.

   The plan failed for want of money.

   There is no want of talent on this team.

   UsageUse for want of something to mean because there is none or not enough.

   Similarlack, absence, shortage, deficiency, dearth

   Oppositeabundance, plenty, surplus

   Note
7. 7
   noununcountable

   The state of being very poor.

   The family lived in want for years.

   War left the whole region in want.

   UsageSay people live in want.

   Similarpoverty, destitution, need, penury, hardship

   Oppositewealth, plenty, affluence, prosperity

   Note
8. 8
   requireverbcolloquialtransitive

   To need something, or need something done, as in the car wants washing.

   My old shoes want new laces before the trip.

   That old fence wants a fresh coat of paint.

   UsageWith a verb, use the -ing form: the lawn wants cutting.

   Similarneed, require

   Note
9. 9
   draw you inverbtransitive

   Used about a thing that seems to push you toward something bad, as if on purpose.

   This app wants you to spend all your money.

   Long, straight, empty roads like this one want you to drive too fast.

   UsageUsually wants you to + verb: the game wants you to spend money.

   Note
10. 10
    verbdatedintransitive

    To have too little or none of something, or to be missing.

    For as in bodies, thus in souls, we find / What wants in blood and spirits, swelled with wind.

    1711, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on CriticismHere, wants means is lacking or missing.

    They of the Citie fought valiantly with Engines, Darts, Arrows: and when Stones wanted, they threw Silver, especially molten silver.

    1625, [Samuel] Purchas, Purchas His Pilgrimes.Here, wanted means were lacking, so when stones ran out.

    UsageToday people mostly say something is wanting, meaning missing.

    Similarlack

    Note
11. 11
    live in needverbdatedintransitive

    To be very poor and in need.

    His family will never want while he lives.

    You have a gift, sir (thank your education), / Will never let you want.

    1605, Ben[jamin] Jonson, Ben: Ionson His Volpone or The FoxeHere, want means be poor and in need.

    UsageYou may see will never want, let someone want, or the Bible phrase I shall not want.

    Note
12. 12
    verbobsoletetransitive

    To not have something and be able or willing to go without it.

    Note
13. 13
    nounUK

    In coal mining, a hollow in the layers of coal, made before the layers above formed.
14. 14
    noundialectal

    In some dialects, a mole, the small animal that digs underground.