How to pronounce wanted
Say it like WAWN-tid. Wanted has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wanted. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAWN
- tid
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wanted pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tidKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of wanted
American and British speakers say wanted in essentially the same way: /ˈwɔntɪd/ in the US and /ˈwɒntɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: WON-tid.
What does wanted mean?
- desired or wished for or sought“couldn't keep her eyes off the wanted toy”“a wanted criminal”
- characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for“a cherished friend”“children are precious”
Where does wanted come from?
From want + -ed.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with wanted
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of wanted.
Questions about saying wanted
How do you pronounce wanted?
Say WAWN-tid. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɔntɪd/. In British English it is /ˈwɒntɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wanted?
Wanted has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAWN). Broken into parts: WAWN · tid.
Do Americans and Brits say wanted the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɔntɪd/ and the British form is /ˈwɒntɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.