need
need
Need (noun) means a requirement for something essential or important. Example: “There's an urgent need for more affordable housing.”
noun
1
A requirement for something essential or important.
"There's an urgent need for more affordable housing."
"There is no need to shout, because I can hear you."
"Good food meets the basic need of every growing child."
2
Poverty or lack of basic means of living.
"The charity supports families in need."
"The church collects blankets for people in need each winter."
"Many families lived in great need after the flood."
verb
1
To require something as essential.
"Plants need sunlight and water to grow."
"I need your help with this."
"We need more chairs for the guests arriving tonight."
2
To be obliged to do something.
"You need to submit the form by Friday."
"Passengers need to show their tickets to the driver."
"Do I need to book a table, or can we just turn up?"
How to use need
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you must have, or the act of requiring it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
in need
need help
basic needs
meet a need
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Word forms
- Plural
- needs
- Third person singular
- needs
- Past tense
- needed
- Archaic forms
- needest, neededst, needeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There's an urgent _____ for more affordable housing.
Etymology
From Old English nēod and nīed, two related words meaning "desire/longing" and "necessity/compulsion," which merged into modern English "need."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for need
See all rhymes for need →Frequently asked questions
What does “need” mean?
The word “need” means a requirement for something essential or important. In plain terms, something you must have, or the act of requiring it.
How do you pronounce “need”?
“Need” is pronounced need (/nid/ in IPA).
How do you use “need” in a sentence?
Here is “need” used in a sentence: “There's an urgent need for more affordable housing.”
What is another word for “need”?
Words with a similar meaning to “need” include be in need of and require.
What part of speech is “need”?
Depending on how it is used, “need” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “need” come from?
The word “need” comes from Old English. From Old English nēod and nīed, two related words meaning "desire/longing" and "necessity/compulsion," which merged into modern English "need.".
Is “need” a common word?
“Need” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “need” have?
“Need” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a requirement for something essential or important.
What is the difference between a need and a want?
A need is something essential you cannot manage well without — food, shelter, sleep, safety. A want is something you would like but could live without — a nicer phone, a holiday, dessert. The line can blur, but the test is necessity: needs are required for wellbeing, while wants add comfort or pleasure.
What are the types of needs?
Needs are often grouped from most to least essential. Basic physical needs cover food, water, warmth, and rest; safety needs cover security and health; and higher needs cover belonging, esteem, and personal growth. This layered view, popularised by psychologist Abraham Maslow, ranks survival needs beneath social and emotional ones.
Is a need always a physical thing?
No. Many needs are emotional or social rather than material — the need for love, security, respect, or a sense of belonging. Psychologists treat these as genuine requirements for wellbeing, not optional extras. So a need can be anything essential to a person's health and happiness, physical or otherwise.
What is an example of a need?
Clean water is a clear example of a need — without it, health quickly fails. Other everyday needs include nourishing food, safe shelter, warmth, sleep, and medical care. In a broader sense we also speak of a need for connection, purpose, or rest: things essential to wellbeing rather than mere luxuries.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing need in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Those companies are investing millions of dollars and strengthening dozens of facilities to meet the evolving needs of shipping pharmaceuticals.
From
CNBC · Jul 25, 2026
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include need:
