Want: meaning, definitions and examples

This is the most general and neutral term for expressing a need or a desire for something. Appropriate in both formal and informal settings.

• I want a sandwich for lunch.
• Do you want to go to the park?

Generally a more formal term, often used to express a strong wish for something, which can be both physical and emotional. It can have romantic or aspirational connotations.

• He has a deep desire to learn new languages.
• Her only desire is to be happy.

Often used to express hope or a desire for something that may not be immediately attainable. It can be more polite and formal in tone compared to 'want'.

• I wish I could travel more.
• She wished him a happy birthday.

Used when someone has a strong, almost intense desire for something, often food or a specific experience. It can have a slightly urgent or emotional connotation.

• She craves chocolate late at night.
• They crave adventure and excitement.

Especially used to express a deep and emotional yearning, typically for something unattainable or far away in time or space. It often implies a sense of nostalgia or melancholy.

• She longed for the days of her childhood.
• He longs for his home country.

Used to describe a severe state of being without basic necessities, often with a dramatic or emotional tone.

• The refugees live in a state of want
• His childhood was marked by want and deprivation

Used to describe the absence or insufficient amount of something that is needed.

• There's a lack of fresh water in the area
• His lack of experience showed during the interview

Used to describe a lack of necessary elements or qualities, typically related to health or essential functions.

• Vitamin D deficiency can cause health problems
• There's a deficiency in her diet that needs to be addressed

Used to describe a situation where the supply of something is less than the demand for it.

• There's a shortage of medical supplies in the hospital
• The factory is facing a shortage of skilled workers

Used to describe a situation where resources or commodities are limited and hard to obtain.

• The scarcity of jobs has made the job market very competitive
• During the drought, water scarcity became a critical issue