need

/niːd/

noun

  1. 1

    A requirement for something; something needed.

    “I've always tried to have few needs beyond food, clothing and shelter.”
  2. 2

    Lack of means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.

verb

  1. 1

    To have an absolute requirement for.

    “Living things need water to survive.”
  2. 2

    To want strongly; to feel that one must have something.

    “After ten days of hiking, I needed a shower and a shave.”
  3. 3

    (modal verb) To be obliged or required (to do something).

    “You need not go if you don't want to.”
  4. 4

    To be required; to be necessary.

  5. 5

    To be necessary (to someone).

Synonyms

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