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need
[ need ]
noun
- a requirement, necessary duty, or obligation:
There is no need for you to go there.
- a lack of something wanted or deemed necessary:
to fulfill the needs of the assignment.
- urgent want, as of something requisite:
He has no need of your charity.
Synonyms:
- necessity arising from the circumstances of a situation or case:
There is no need to worry.
- a situation or time of difficulty; exigency:
to help a friend in need;
to be a friend in need.
Synonyms:
- a condition marked by the lack of something requisite:
the need for leadership.
- destitution; extreme poverty:
The family's need is acute.
Synonyms: , , ,
Antonyms:
verb (used with object)
- to have need of; require:
to need money.
Synonyms: ,
verb (used without object)
- to be under an obligation (used as an auxiliary, typically in an interrogative or in a negative statement, and followed by infinitive, in certain cases without to; in the 3d person singular the form is need, not needs ):
He need not go.
- to be in need or want.
- to be necessary:
There needs no apology.
need
/ Ծː /
verb
- tr to be in want of
to need money
- tr to require or be required of necessity (to be or do something); be obliged
to need to do more work
- takes an infinitive without to used as an auxiliary in negative and interrogative sentences to express necessity or obligation, and does not add -s when used with he, she, it, and singular nouns
need he go?
- archaic.intr to be essential or necessary to
there needs no reason for this
noun
- the fact or an instance of feeling the lack of something
he has need of a new coat
- a requirement
the need for vengeance
- necessity or obligation resulting from some situation
no need to be frightened
- distress or extremity
a friend in need
- extreme poverty or destitution; penury
Other Word Forms
- Աİ noun
- ܲ·ԱĻ adjective
- ɱ-ԱĻ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of need1
Word History and Origins
Origin of need1
Idioms and Phrases
- if need be, should the necessity arise:
If need be, I can type the letters myself.
More idioms and phrases containing need
In addition to the idiom beginning with need , also see cry for (crying need for). .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
The Dodgers’ bullpen got an unexpected, and badly needed, reprieve Tuesday night.
"We need to start increasing residents' disposable income."
It's no wonder that when Racing spotted him a while later, they took him right away - no trial needed.
“We are tired of abusers getting slapped on the wrist. Animal cruelty needs to be taken more seriously, with harsher penalties.”
"We need him to fight back or get the f**k out."
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Related Words
When To Use
are other ways to say need?
To need something is to have need of it. How does need compare to synonyms want, lack, and require? Find out on .
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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