Meaning of need in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /nid/

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  1. Verb

    need

    Etymology

    Old English nēodian (verb), nēod, nēd (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch nood and German Not‘danger’

    Definitions

    1. require as useful, just, or proper

    Examples

    • « It takes nerve to do what she did »
    • « success usually requires hard work »
    • « This job asks a lot of patience and skill »
    • « This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice »
    • « This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert; »

    Antonyms

  2. 2. have need of

    Examples

    • « This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner »
  3. 3. have or feel a need for

    Examples

    • « always needing friends and money »

  4. Noun

    need

    Definitions

    1. a condition requiring relief

    Examples

    • « she satisfied his need for affection »
    • « God has no need of men to accomplish His work »
    • « there is a demand for jobs »
  5. 2. anything that is necessary but lacking

    Examples

    • « he had sufficient means to meet his simple needs »
    • « I tried to supply his wants »
  6. 3. the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal

    Examples

    • « the reason for the action »
    • « that which gives purpose and direction to behavior »
    • « we did not understand his motivation »
    • « he acted with the best of motives »
  7. 4. a state of extreme poverty or destitution

    Examples

    • « their indigence appalled him »
    • « a general state of need exists among the homeless »