want既可用作及物动词，也可用作不及物动词。用作及物动词时，可接名词、代词、动词不定式、动名词作宾语，也可接以形容词、现在分词、过去分词、动词不定式、介词短语、副词充当补足语的复合宾语。用作不及物动词时，多与介词for或in连用。want一般不用于进行体，但表示语气婉转时可用现在进行时或过去进行时。
1.要；想要；希望
如：The last thing I wanted was to upset you.
我最不希望做的事就是惹你不高兴。
2.（同need）需要
如：We'll want more furniture for the new office.
我们的新办公室需要添些家具。
3.需要...在场
如：She's wanted immediately in the director's office.
她得马上到主任办公室去。
4.（用于提出建议）应该
如：You don't want to do it like that.
你不应那样做。
5.缺少；缺乏
如：He doesn't want courage.
他有的是勇气。
6.需要的东西；想望的东西
如：She spent her life pandering to the wants of her children.
她一生都在设法满足子女的需要。
7.贫穷；贫困；匮乏
如：Visitors to the slums were clearly shocked to see so many families living in want.
到过贫民窟的人看到有这么多的家庭生活在贫苦之中显然震惊不已。
8.通缉；缉拿
如：They were wanted by the police.
他们被警方通缉。
