Needs vs. Wants — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Needs and Wants
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Compare with Definitions
Needs
Of necessity; necessarily
We must needs go.
Wants
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.
Needs
(archaic) Either directly or indirectly preceded or followed by an auxiliary verb, often must: of necessity or need; necessarily, indispensably.
Wants
To desire (someone to do something)
I want you to clean your room.
Needs
Plural of need
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Wants
To request the presence or assistance of
You are wanted by your office.
Needs
Of necessity; necessarily; indispensably; - often with must, and equivalent to of need.
A man must needs love mauger his head.
And he must needs go through Samaria.
He would needs know the cause of his repulse.
Wants
To seek with intent to capture
The fugitive is wanted by the police.
Needs
In such a manner as could not be otherwise;
It is necessarily so
We must needs by objective
Wants
To have an inclination toward; like
Say what you want, but be tactful.
Wants
(Informal) To be obliged (to do something)
You want to be careful on the ice.
Wants
To be in need of; require
"'Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter" (Lewis Carroll).
Wants
To be without; lack.
Wants
To be inclined or desirous; wish
Call me daily if you want.
Wants
The condition or quality of lacking something usual or necessary
Stayed home for want of anything better to do.
Wants
Pressing need; destitution
Lives in want.
Wants
Something desired
A person of few wants and needs.
Wants
A defect of character; a fault.
Wants
Plural of want
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