Definition of "want" in 英语

verb

1. (transitive) To wish for or desire (something); to feel a need or desire for; to crave, hanker, or demand.

   • I want you as a friend, not a foe.
   • What do you want to eat?  I want you to leave.  I never wanted to go back to live with my mother.
   • I want to find a supermarket. — Oh, okay. The supermarket is at 1500 Irving Street. It is near the apartment. — Great!

2. (transitive, in particular) To wish, desire, or demand to see, have the presence of or do business with.

   • Ma’am, you are exactly the professional we want for this job.
   • Danish police want him for embezzlement.

3. (intransitive) To desire (to experience desire); to wish.

   • You can leave if you want.
   • TYRION: You don't want it? BRAN: I don't really want anymore.

4. (colloquial, usually second person, often future tense) To be advised to do something (compare should, ought).

   • You’ll want to repeat this three or four times to get the best result.

5. (transitive, now colloquial) To lack and be in need of or require (something, such as a noun or verbal noun).

   • That chair wants fixing and a clean.
   • What you really want is a good smack!

6. (transitive, now rare) To have occasion for (something requisite or useful); to require or need.

7. (intransitive, dated) To be lacking or deficient or absent.

   • There was something wanting in the play.

8. (intransitive, dated) To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack.

   • The paupers desperately want.

9. (transitive, archaic) To lack and be without, to not have (something).

   • She wanted anything she needed.

10. (transitive, obsolete, by extension) To lack and perhaps be able or willing to do without.

    • 1789 Robert Burns: Epigram On Francis Grose The Antiquary The Devil got notice that Grose was a-dying So whip! at the summons, old Satan came flying; But when he approached where poor Francis lay moaning, And saw each bed-post with its burthen a-groaning, Astonish'd, confounded, cries Satan-"By God, I'll want him, ere I take such a damnable load!"
    • 1880 Robert Louis Stevenson. Kidnapped "Are ye sharp-set?" he asked, glancing at about the level of my knee. "Ye can eat that drop parritch." I said I feared it was his own supper. "Oh," said he, "I can do fine wanting it, I'll take the ale, though, for it slockens my cough." He drank the cup about half out, still keeping an eye upon me as he drank...