adj
Very common
wanted
WON-tihd
Wanted (adj) means Desired or sought after. Example: “Skilled nurses are always wanted in rural clinics across the country.”
adj
1
Desired or sought after.
"Skilled nurses are always wanted in rural clinics across the country."
"The shop sells only the most wanted toys during the busy winter season."
"It felt good to finally be a wanted employee at a company that valued her."
"She was the most wanted speaker at the conference."
2
Sought by police for a suspected crime.
"The wanted man was finally found hiding in a barn outside the village."
"Officers appealed to the public for help finding a wanted burglar."
"His face was on a wanted poster outside the post office."
How to use wanted
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither desired, or (in a criminal context) actively being searched for by the law.
Common pairings
wanted poster
most wanted
feel wanted
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more wanted
- Superlative
- most wanted
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Skilled nurses are always _____ in rural clinics across the country.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wanted
See all rhymes for wanted →Frequently asked questions
What does “wanted” mean?
The word “wanted” means desired or sought after. In plain terms, either desired, or (in a criminal context) actively being searched for by the law.
How do you pronounce “wanted”?
“Wanted” is pronounced WON-tihd (/ˈwɑn.tɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wanted” in a sentence?
Here is “wanted” used in a sentence: “It felt good to finally be a wanted employee at a company that valued her.”
What is the opposite of “wanted”?
The opposite of “wanted” — its antonyms — is unwanted.
What part of speech is “wanted”?
“Wanted” is an adjective.
Is “wanted” a common word?
“Wanted” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wanted” have?
“Wanted” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: desired or sought after.
What is the difference between wanted and needed?
Wanted means desired - something you would like to have. Needed means required - something you cannot do without. You might want a new phone but need food and shelter. Want is about desire, while need is about necessity, though everyday speech often blurs the line between them.
What does 'wanted' mean on a poster?
On a 'Wanted' poster, the word means a person is being actively sought, usually by the police, for arrest or questioning. This sense grows out of being 'sought after' - but in a legal rather than an admiring way. The classic phrase is 'Wanted: dead or alive.'
What is the opposite of wanted?
The opposite of wanted is unwanted - not desired or not welcome. Depending on context, unwelcome, undesired, or rejected can also serve as opposites. An unwanted gift is one nobody asked for, while a wanted one is actively hoped for and gladly received.
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