Learn How to Pronounce want

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want

Definition:

(nou) a state of extreme poverty (nou) the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable (nou) anything that is necessary but lacking (nou) a specific feeling of desire

Phonetic Transcription:

wɒnt

Examples:

They who want something to be lastingly reverted, need to discuss first.

The salesclerk wants to know if you want to purchase the protection plan.

The two profess that they want the kind of wedding the other one wants.

Learn more about:
want

Related Words:

need

request

require

How to perfect your pronunciation of: want

Learn Individual Sounds

Break want down into individual sounds such as wɒnt. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

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Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

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Common mistakes of want pronunciation

Stress misplacement: Some learners place stress incorrectly, saying "want" as ˈwɒnt instead of the correct US pronunciation /wɔnt/ or UK /wɒnt/. Tip: Always emphasize the initial sound "w" to ensure clarity.
Vowel confusion: People often confuse the vowel sound in "want" with similar words, pronouncing it as "went" or "want" with a short "a" sound. Tip: Focus on the open "a" sound, like in "father," to avoid this mistake.
Overemphasis on "t": Some speakers pronounce the final "t" too strongly, making it sound like "wantt." This is especially common in casual speech. Tip: Lightly touch the "t" to maintain a natural flow without overemphasizing it.
Dropping the "w": A frequent error is omitting the "w" sound, pronouncing "want" as "ant." This can lead to confusion with completely different words. Tip: Practice starting with the "w" sound to reinforce its importance in pronunciation.
Linking sounds: Learners sometimes incorrectly link "want" with the following word, making it sound like "wanna" instead of clearly articulating "want." Tip: Pause briefly between "want" and the next word to maintain clarity and avoid blending sounds.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "want" in American English?

In American English, "want" is pronounced as /wɑnt/ with the stress on the single syllable. The "a" sounds like the "a" in "father."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "want" between British and American English?

Yes, in British English, "want" is pronounced as /wɒnt/, where the "a" is pronounced more like the "o" in "cot." The stress remains on the single syllable in both variants.

What is the syllable structure of the word "want"?

The word "want" has one syllable, making it a monosyllabic word. This means it is pronounced in a single breath without any vowel reduction.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "want"?

One common mistake is pronouncing "want" with a silent "w," which can make it sound like "ont." Remember to articulate the "w" clearly at the beginning.