verb
Common
needing
Needing (verb) means present participle of need — currently requiring or lacking something necessary. Example: “Needing some quiet, the students moved to the empty room at the back of the library.”
verb
1
Present participle of need — currently requiring or lacking something necessary.
"Needing some quiet, the students moved to the empty room at the back of the library."
"Needing a ride to the airport, she called her brother."
"The garden is badly needing rain after this dry spell."
How to use needing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe -ing form of "need," used when something is required right now or an action is ongoing.
Memory tip
Use "needing" after another verb or at the start of a sentence to explain a reason, e.g. "Needing cash, he sold his bike."
Common pairings
needing help
needing attention
badly needing
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Word forms
- Plural
- needings
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Can you complete this real example?
_____ some quiet, the students moved to the empty room at the back of the library.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for needing
feeding
weeding
seeding
bleeding
breeding
speeding
receding
exceeding
preceding
proceeding
succeeding
inbreeding
See all rhymes for needing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “needing” mean?
The word “needing” means present participle of need — currently requiring or lacking something necessary. In plain terms, the -ing form of "need," used when something is required right now or an action is ongoing.
How do you use “needing” in a sentence?
Here is “needing” used in a sentence: “Needing a ride to the airport, she called her brother.”
What part of speech is “needing”?
“Needing” is a verb.
Is “needing” a common word?
“Needing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is it correct to say "I am needing"?
In standard English, need is a stative verb and is not normally used in the progressive: say "I need help," not "I am needing help." The form needing is still correct in participle and gerund uses, such as "anyone needing assistance should ask."
What is the difference between needing and in need of?
Both describe lacking or requiring something. Needing is simply the participle of need ("a family needing support"), while in need of is a fixed phrase that often sounds slightly more formal or emphatic ("the house is in need of repair"). In most sentences they are interchangeable.
What is the difference between needing and wanting?
Needing means currently requiring or lacking something necessary, while wanting means desiring something. What you need is essential; what you want may only be wished for.
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