nounverb
Common
1.n.the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
2.n.an inclination to want things
“a man of many desires”
3.n.something that is desired
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desire and want share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. desire means “the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state”. want means “feel or have a desire for; want strongly”. want is the more common of the two in everyday English.
1.n.the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
2.n.an inclination to want things
“a man of many desires”
3.n.something that is desired
/ˈwɑnt/
1.v.feel or have a desire for; want strongly
“I want to go home now”
2.v.have need of
“This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner”
3.v.hunt or look for; want for a particular reason
“Your former neighbor is wanted by the FBI”
| desire | want | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dɪˈzaɪɚ/ | /ˈwɑnt/ |
| Said | di-ZAHY-ur | wahnt |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Letters | 6 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | verb, noun |
| Senses | 6 | 9 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | none recorded | desire |
Full entry for desire · Full entry for want · More comparisons