Wish vs. Want — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
"Wish" is a desire for something that is often unattainable or difficult to achieve, while "want" is a desire for something more attainable or practical.
Difference Between Wish and Want
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "wish" often conveys a desire for things that are idealistic or even fanciful. For instance, you might wish to be a millionaire or wish for world peace. These are desires that you may have little control over. "Want," however, usually relates to things that you believe you can realistically achieve or acquire. You might want a new phone, or want to go on a vacation.
"Wish" frequently appears in hypothetical or imaginative contexts. You'd use "wish" to express desires that are contingent on magic, luck, or other factors beyond your control. "Want" generally fits better into concrete, practical situations. It indicates a plan or intent to satisfy that desire. For example, you might say, "I want to buy a house," implying a more actionable step than simply wishing for a house.
In language usage, "wish" often pairs with verbs in the subjunctive mood, emphasizing its conditional or hypothetical nature ("I wish I were"). "Want," on the other hand, pairs with verbs in the indicative mood, highlighting its direct, straightforward nature ("I want to be").
Lastly, both "wish" and "want" can manifest as nouns. However, a "wish" typically implies a more idealistic longing ("Make a wish!"), whereas a "want" is a tangible need or lack ("The basic wants of life are food, shelter, and clothing").
Comparison Chart
Nature
Idealistic, aspirational
Practical, actionable
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Usage Context
Hypothetical, imaginative
Concrete, realistic
Verb Mood
Pairs with subjunctive verbs ("I wish I were")
Pairs with indicative verbs ("I want to be")
Control
Little control over the outcome
More control, actionable
Manifestation
Can be a noun (e.g., "Make a wish!")
Can be a noun (e.g., "basic wants")
Compare with Definitions
Wish
An expression of a hypothetical want.
I wish you were here.
Want
A desire for something more attainable.
I want a new phone.
Wish
A request for something to happen.
I wish for good health.
Want
The idea of want can be examined from many perspectives. In secular societies want might be considered similar to the emotion desire, which can be studied scientifically through the disciplines of psychology or sociology.
Wish
A wish is a hope or desire for something. In fiction, wishes can be used as plot devices.
Want
Have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for
We want to go to the beach
She wanted me to leave
I'll give you a lift into town if you want
I want an apple
Wish
Feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen
He wished that he had practised the routines
We wished for peace
Want
Should or need to do something
You don't want to believe everything you hear
Wish
Want to do something
They wish to become involved
Want
Lack something desirable or essential
You shall want for nothing while you are with me
Wish
Hope that (someone) has to deal with someone or something undesirable
He wouldn't wish Arthur on anyone
Want
A lack or deficiency of something
For want of a better location we ate our picnic in the cemetery
Victorian houses which are in want of repair
Wish
A desire or hope for something to happen
The union has reiterated its wish for an agreement
Her wish to be a mother
Want
A desire for something
The expression of our wants and desires
Wish
A feeling that one would like to have or do something or to see something happen; a desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific thing.
Want
To have a strong feeling to have (something); wish (to possess or do something); desire greatly
She wants a glass of water. They want to leave.
Wish
An expression of a desire, longing, or strong inclination
Carried out the wishes included in the will.
Want
To desire (someone to do something)
I want you to clean your room.
Wish
An expression of desire for the happiness or success of another
Sent me his best wishes.
Want
To request the presence or assistance of
You are wanted by your office.
Wish
Something desired or longed for
Finally got his wish to see the ocean.
Want
To seek with intent to capture
The fugitive is wanted by the police.
Wish
To long for; want.
Want
To have an inclination toward; like
Say what you want, but be tactful.
Wish
To feel or express a desire for
I wish them good luck. He wished her good night.
Want
(Informal) To be obliged (to do something)
You want to be careful on the ice.
Wish
To order, entreat, or request
I wish you to go. I wish it to be known that I disagree.
Want
To be in need of; require
"'Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter" (Lewis Carroll).
Wish
To desire (something bad) to happen to someone
I would not wish such an illness on anyone.
Want
To be without; lack.
Wish
To have or feel a desire
Wish for a successful outcome.
Want
To be inclined or desirous; wish
Call me daily if you want.
Wish
To express a wish.
Want
The condition or quality of lacking something usual or necessary
Stayed home for want of anything better to do.
Wish
A desire, hope, or longing for something or for something to happen.
Have a wish
Make someone's wish come true
Want
Pressing need; destitution
Lives in want.
Wish
An expression of such a desire, often connected with ideas of magic and supernatural power.
Make a wish
Want
Something desired
A person of few wants and needs.
Wish
The thing desired or longed for.
My dearest wish is to see them happily married.
Want
A defect of character; a fault.
Wish
(Sussex) A water meadow.
Want
(transitive) To wish for or desire (something); to feel a need or desire for; to crave or demand.
What do you want to eat?
I want you to leave.
Never wanted to go back to live with my mother.
Wish
(transitive) To desire; to want.
I'll come tomorrow, if you wish it.
Want
(by extension) To make it easy or tempting to do something undesirable, or to make it hard or challenging to refrain from doing it.
The game developers of Candy Crush want you to waste large, copious amounts of your money on in-game purchases to buy boosters and lives.
Depression wants you to feel like the world is dark and that you are not worthy of happiness. The first step to making your life better from this day forward is to stop believing these lies.
Wish
To hope (+ object clause with may or in present subjunctive).
Want
To wish, desire, or demand to see, have the presence of or do business with.
Ma’am, you are exactly the professional we want for this job.
Danish police want him for embezzlement.
Wish
To hope (for a particular outcome), even if that outcome is unlikely to occur or cannot occur.
I wish I could go back in time and teach myself what I know now.
Want
(intransitive) To desire (to experience desire); to wish.
You can leave if you want.
Wish
(ditransitive) To bestow (a thought or gesture) towards (someone or something).
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Want
To lack and be in need of or require (something, such as a noun or verbal noun).
That chair wants fixing.
Wish
To request or desire to do an activity.
Want
To have occasion for (something requisite or useful); to require or need.
Wish
(transitive) To recommend; to seek confidence or favour on behalf of.
Want
To be lacking or deficient or absent.
There was something wanting in the play.
Wish
To have a desire or yearning; to long; to hanker.
They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for.
Want
To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack.
The paupers desperately want.
Wish
To desire; to long for; to hanker after; to have a mind or disposition toward.
I would not wishAny companion in the world but you.
I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper.
Want
To lack and be without, to not have (something).
She wanted anything she needed.
Wish
To frame or express desires concerning; to invoke in favor of, or against, any one; to attribute, or cal down, in desire; to invoke; to imprecate.
I would not wish them to a fairer death.
I wish it may not prove some ominous foretoken of misfortune to have met with such a miser as I am.
Let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish me evil.
Want
To lack and (be able to) do without.
Wish
To recommend; to seek confidence or favor in behalf of.
I would be glad to thrive, sir,And I was wished to your worship by a gentleman.
Want
(countable) A desire, wish, longing.
Wish
Desire; eager desire; longing.
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God a stead.
Want
Lack, absence, deficiency.
A want of sense.
Wish
Expression of desire; request; petition; hence, invocation or imprecation.
Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish.
Want
(uncountable) Poverty.
Wish
A thing desired; an object of desire.
Will he, wise, let loose at once his ire . . . To give his enemies their wish!
Want
Something needed or desired; a thing of which the loss is felt.
Wish
A specific feeling of desire;
He got his wish
He was above all wishing and desire
Want
A depression in coal strata, hollowed out before the subsequent deposition took place.
Wish
An expression of some desire or inclination;
I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave
His crying was an indirect request for attention
Want
(dialectal) A mole (Talpa europea).
Wish
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare;
Give him my kind regards
My best wishes
Want
The state of not having; the condition of being without anything; absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of power or knowledge for any purpose; want of food and clothing.
And me, his parent, would full soon devourFor want of other prey.
From having wishes in consequence of our wants, we often feel wants in consequence of our wishes.
Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and more saucy.
Wish
The particular preference that you have;
It was his last wish
They should respect the wishes of the people
Want
Specifically, absence or lack of necessaries; destitution; poverty; penury; indigence; need.
Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches, as to conceive how others can be in want.
Wish
Hope for; have a wish;
I wish I could go home now
Want
That which is needed or desired; a thing of which the loss is felt; what is not possessed, and is necessary for use or pleasure.
Habitual superfluities become actual wants.
Wish
Prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Want
A depression in coal strata, hollowed out before the subsequent deposition took place.
Wish
Have in mind;
I will take the exam tomorrow
Want
To be without; to be destitute of, or deficient in; not to have; to lack; as, to want knowledge; to want judgment; to want learning; to want food and clothing.
They that want honesty, want anything.
Nor think, though men were none,That heaven would want spectators, God want praise.
The unhappy never want enemies.
Wish
Make or express a wish;
I wish that Christmas were over
Want
To have occasion for, as useful, proper, or requisite; to require; to need; as, in winter we want a fire; in summer we want cooling breezes.
Wish
Feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of
Want
To feel need of; to wish or long for; to desire; to crave.
I want to speak to you about something.
Wish
Order politely; express a wish for
Want
To be absent; to be deficient or lacking; to fail; not to be sufficient; to fall or come short; to lack; - often used impersonally with of; as, it wants ten minutes of four.
The disposition, the manners, and the thoughts are all before it; where any of those are wanting or imperfect, so much wants or is imperfect in the imitation of human life.
Wish
Invoke upon;
Wish you a nice evening
Bid farewell
Want
To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack.
You have a gift, sir (thank your education),Will never let you want.
For as in bodies, thus in souls, we findWhat wants in blood and spirits, swelled with wind.
Wish
A desire for something that is often unattainable.
I wish I could fly.
Want
A state of extreme poverty
Wish
A sentiment or hope.
My wish is for peace.
Want
The state of needing something that is absent or unavailable;
There is a serious lack of insight into the problem
Water is the critical deficiency in desert regions
For want of a nail the shoe was lost
Wish
A longing for change.
She wishes for a better future.
Want
Anything that is necessary but lacking;
He had sufficient means to meet his simple needs
I tried to supply his wants
Want
A specific feeling of desire;
He got his wish
He was above all wishing and desire
Want
Feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
Want
Have need of;
This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner
Want
Wish or demand the presence of;
I want you here at noon!
Want
Hunt or look for; want for a particular reason;
Your former neighbor is wanted by the FBI
Uncle Sam wants you
Want
Be without, lack; be deficient in;
Want courtesy
Want the strength to go on living
Flood victims wanting food and shelter
Want
An intention to act.
I want to go to the gym.
Want
A basic need.
I want food and water.
Want
A preference in choice.
I want the blue one.
Want
A state of lacking something.
He wants for nothing.
Common Curiosities
What is Want?
"Want" is a desire for something more attainable or actionable.
Is Want more actionable?
Yes, "want" is generally more practical and actionable.
What is Wish?
"Wish" is a desire for something often unattainable or idealistic.
Is Wish passive?
"Wish" can be seen as more passive as it often lacks actionable steps.
Which verb moods go with Want?
"Want" pairs with verbs in the indicative mood.
Is Want active?
"Want" is more active, often implying an intention to fulfill the desire.
How do Wish and Want relate to control?
"Wish" implies less control over the outcome, while "want" implies more control and action.
Which verb moods go with Wish?
"Wish" often pairs with verbs in the subjunctive mood.
Can both words be nouns?
Yes, both "wish" and "want" can function as nouns.
Which word indicates a more attainable desire?
"Want" usually indicates a more attainable or realistic desire.
Is Wish more idealistic?
Yes, "wish" is often more aspirational and idealistic.
Can you give an example using Want?
"I want to learn how to sing."
Which word is used for more unattainable desires?
"Wish" is used for desires that are often unattainable or idealistic.
Are Wish and Want interchangeable?
While similar, they are not fully interchangeable due to differences in practicality and attainability.
Can you give an example using Wish?
"I wish I could sing."
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
