The Definition of Want

want /wɒnt, wɔnt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[wont, wawnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object)
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. –verb (used without object)
6.
to feel inclined; wish; like (often fol. by to): We can stay home if you want.
7.
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.
8.
to have need (usually fol. by for): If you want for anything, let him know.
9.
to be in a state of destitution, need, or poverty: She would never allow her parents to want.
10.
to be lacking or absent, as a part or thing necessary to completeness: All that wants is his signature. –noun
11.
something wanted or needed; necessity: My wants are few.
12.
something desired, demanded, or required: a person of childish, capricious wants.
13.
absence or deficiency of something desirable or requisite; lack: plants dying for want of rain.
14.
the state of being without something desired or needed; need: to be in want of an assistant.
15.
the state of being without the necessaries of life; destitution; poverty: a country where want is virtually unknown.
16.
a sense of lack or need of something: to feel a vague want. —Idiom
17.
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.