simple past tense and past participle of want
"After years of searching, they finally found the house she had wanted since childhood."
In plain English: To want something means to really desire it or wish for it to happen.
"I wanted a cup of coffee before I left for work."
desired or wished for or sought
"couldn't keep her eyes off the wanted toy"
"a wanted criminal"
"a wanted poster"
wished for; desired; sought
"After years of traveling, she finally wanted to settle down and raise a family in her hometown."
In plain English: Wanted means something that is needed or desired by someone.
"The wanted player scored the winning goal in the final minute."
Usage: Use "wanted" as an adjective to describe something that was previously desired or needed, such as in the phrase "a wanted poster." Avoid using it to modify nouns when referring to a current state of desire unless emphasizing past intent.
The word wanted comes from combining the verb want with the past tense suffix -ed. It originally meant to desire or need something but has since evolved to mean being sought after by law enforcement.