adj
needful
NEEDFL
Needful (adj) means Necessary or required. Example: “Take whatever action is needful to fix the problem.”
adj
1
Necessary or required.
"Take whatever action is needful to fix the problem."
noun
1
Informal: whatever is required, especially money (usually "the needful").
"I'll take care of the needful before the deadline."
How to use needful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNecessary — an older or more formal way of saying "needed."
When to use it
Fairly old-fashioned in modern English; "necessary" or "needed" are more common today.
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Word forms
- Plural
- needfuls
- Comparative
- more needful
- Superlative
- most needful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Take whatever action is _____ to fix the problem.
Etymology
From Old English nēodful, from need + -ful.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “needful” mean?
The word “needful” means necessary or required. In plain terms, necessary — an older or more formal way of saying "needed.".
How do you pronounce “needful”?
“Needful” is pronounced NEEDFL (/ˈniːdfl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “needful” in a sentence?
Here is “needful” used in a sentence: “Take whatever action is needful to fix the problem.”
What part of speech is “needful”?
Depending on how it is used, “needful” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “needful” come from?
The word “needful” comes from Old English. From Old English nēodful, from need + -ful.
How many meanings does “needful” have?
“Needful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: necessary or required.
