ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Need

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /niːd/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Need is a noun meaning (countable and uncountable) A requirement for something; something needed.

Meaning

(countable and uncountable) A requirement for something; something needed.

More Meanings

  1. A desire or craving for the satisfaction of a requirement perceived as essential or primal.
  2. Lack of means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.
  3. (transitive) To have an absolute requirement for.
  4. (transitive) To want strongly; to feel that one must have something.
  5. (modal, chiefly in the negative and interrogative) To be obliged or required (to do something).
  6. (intransitive) To be required; to be necessary.
  7. (obsolete, transitive) To be necessary (to someone).

Example Sentences

Our needs are not being met.
Being so great, I have no need to beg.
Be governed by your needs, not by your fancy.
She grew irritated with his constant need for attention.

Word Forms

Synonyms for need

Depending on context, synonyms include desire, want, will, lack, require, occasion.

Antonyms for need

Common opposites include obviate, eliminate.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include necessitate, must, have, ought, require, demand.

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Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

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