adj
Very common
needed
NEE-dihd
Needed (adj) means Required; necessary. Example: “The town received much-needed rain after the drought.”
adj
1
Required; necessary.
"Just-in-time as-needed support for in-house training"
"The town received much-needed rain after the drought."
"Bring the needed documents to the interview, or they cannot process your form."
"We have all the needed tools, so the repair should be quick."
How to use needed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that is required, especially something wanted badly.
Common pairings
badly needed
much-needed
as needed
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more needed
- Superlative
- most needed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The town received much-_____ rain after the drought.
Etymology
The past participle of "need" used as an adjective.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for needed
See all rhymes for needed →Frequently asked questions
What does “needed” mean?
The word “needed” means required; necessary. In plain terms, something that is required, especially something wanted badly.
How do you pronounce “needed”?
“Needed” is pronounced NEE-dihd (/ˈni.dɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “needed” in a sentence?
Here is “needed” used in a sentence: “The town received much-needed rain after the drought.”
What part of speech is “needed”?
“Needed” is an adjective.
Is “needed” a common word?
“Needed” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between needed and needy?
Needed means required or necessary — 'the repairs are badly needed'. Needy describes a person or group lacking essentials and requiring help, or, informally, someone who demands constant attention and reassurance. So a thing is needed when it is called for, while a person is needy when they are in want. The two are often confused.
Is needed an adjective or a verb?
Needed can be both. As the past tense of 'need', it is a verb — 'she needed help'. As an adjective, it means required or necessary — 'a much-needed break'. When it describes a noun and can be replaced by 'necessary', it is working as an adjective. In many sentences the two uses overlap.
What is the opposite of needed?
The opposite of needed is unneeded, unnecessary, or unwanted — something not required. Words like optional, dispensable, and superfluous also stand in contrast, describing what could be done without. Where 'needed' says something is called for, its opposites say it can safely be left out or removed.
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