needs

[ needz ]
/ nidz /

adverb

of necessity; necessarily (usually preceded or followed by must): It must needs be so. It needs must be.

Origin of needs

before 1000; Middle English nedis, Old English nēdes, orig. genitive of nēd need; see -s1

Definition for needs (2 of 2)

need
[ need ]
/ nid /

noun

verb (used with object)

to have need of; require: to need money.

verb (used without object)

Origin of need

before 900; (noun) Middle English nede, Old English nēd (WSaxon nīed), cognate with German Not, Old Norse nauth, Gothic nauths; (v.) Middle English neden, Old English nēodian, derivative of the noun

synonym study for need

2, 3. See lack. 4. Need, necessity imply a want, a lack, or a demand, which must be filled. Need, a word of Old English origin, has connotations that make it strong in emotional appeal: the need to be appreciated. Necessity, a word of Latin origin, is more formal and impersonal or objective; though much stronger than need in expressing urgency or imperative demand, it is less effective in appealing to the emotions: Water is a necessity for living things. 7. See poverty.

OTHER WORDS FROM need

need·er, noun un·need·ed, adjective well-need·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for needs

British Dictionary definitions for needs (1 of 2)

needs
/ (niːdz) /

adverb

(preceded or foll by must) of necessity we must needs go; we will go, if needs must

pl n

what is required; necessities the needs of the third world; his needs are modest

British Dictionary definitions for needs (2 of 2)

need
/ (niːd) /

verb

noun

See also needs

Word Origin for need

Old English nēad, nied; related to Old Frisian nēd, Old Saxon nōd, Old High German nōt

Idioms and Phrases with needs

need