Want for Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Caring Assurance Used when reassuring someone they'll have everything they need. You will want for nothing when you stay with us. Pro Tip 2/3Literary Flair Often found in literature to give a formal or old-fashioned tone. In his kingdom, no citizen shall want for bread. Pro Tip 3/3Negative Context Commonly used in negative forms to express the absence of need. With such wealth, they do not want for friends.