for want of a better phrase

for want of a better phrase
for want of a better word/phrase/term/ phrase
used for saying that you cannot think of a more exact way of describing or explaining what you mean

They were worried about, for want of a better word, competition from other charities.

Thesaurus: ways of explaining or clarifyinghyponym to make something easier to understandsynonym
Main entry: want

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • for want of a better word — for want of a better word/phrase/term/ phrase used for saying that you cannot think of a more exact way of describing or explaining what you mean They were worried about, for want of a better word, competition from other charities. Thesaurus:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • for want of a better term — for want of a better word/phrase/term/ phrase used for saying that you cannot think of a more exact way of describing or explaining what you mean They were worried about, for want of a better word, competition from other charities. Thesaurus:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • want — want1 W1S1 [wɔnt US wo:nt, wa:nt] v [not usually in progressive] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(desire)¦ 2¦(need)¦ 3¦(offer)¦ 4¦(should)¦ 5 what do you want? 6¦(ask for somebody)¦ 7¦(lack)¦ 8 if you want 9 who wants ...? …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • want — want1 [ want ] verb transitive *** 1. ) to feel that you would like to have, keep, or do something: Do you still want these old letters? want something for something: What do you want for your birthday? want to do something: Liz wants to see the… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • want — I UK [wɒnt] / US [wɑnt] verb [transitive] Word forms want : present tense I/you/we/they want he/she/it wants present participle wanting past tense wanted past participle wanted *** Metaphor: Wanting something is like being hungry or thirsty, and… …   English dictionary

  • want — [[t]wɒ̱nt[/t]] ♦ wants, wanting, wanted 1) VERB: no cont, no passive If you want something, you feel a desire or a need for it. [V n] I want a drink... [V n] Ian knows exactly what he wants in life and i …   English dictionary

  • want — 1 verb (not usually in progressive) 1 DESIRE (T) to have a desire for something: I want a drink. | What do you want for your birthday? | want to do sth: Do you want to go to Kay s party? | want sb to do sth: I don t want Linda to hear about this …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • want*/*/*/ — [wɒnt] verb [T] I 1) to feel that you would like to have, keep, or do something Do you still want these old letters?[/ex] Liz wants to see the gardens.[/ex] She wants a ticket to the concert for her birthday.[/ex] 2) to feel that you would like… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • want — verb. 1. Want is of Norse origin and came into English in the 13c. The dominant meaning in current usage is ‘to desire or wish for’ (Tom wants a computer for Christmas / What do you want to do now?), and a range of earlier meanings equivalent to… …   Modern English usage

  • (the) sooner the better — the sooner/bigger/quicker/etc the better phrase used for saying that you want something to be as soon big quick etc as possible I want you to get rid of those people, and the sooner the better. Thesaurus: as much as possible …   Useful english dictionary

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