Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense needs, present participle needing, past tense, past participle neededNeed sometimes behaves like an ordinary verb, for example 'She needs to know' and 'Shedoesn't need to know' and sometimes like a modal, for example 'She need know', 'Sheneedn't know', or, in more formal English, 'She need not know.'
1. verb [no cont]
If you need something, or needto do something, you cannot successfully achieve what you want or live properly without it.
He desperately needed money. [VERB noun]
These diets provide everything your body needs. [VERB noun]
I need to make a phone call. [VERB to-infinitive]
A baby does not need to wear shoes until he starts to walk. [VERB to-infinitive]
I need you to do something for me. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
I need you here, Wally. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
I need you sane and sober. [VERB noun adjective]
Synonyms: want, miss, require, lack More Synonyms of need
Need is also a noun.
Charles has never felt the need to compete with anyone.
...the child who never had his need for attention and importance satisfied. [+ for]
...the special nutritional needs of the elderly. [+ of]
2. verb [no cont]
If an object or place needs something doing to it, that action should be done to improve the object or place. If a task needs doing, it should be done to improve a particular situation.
The building needs quite a few repairs. [VERB noun]
...a garden that needs tidying. [VERB verb-ing]
The taste of vitamins is not too nice so the flavour sometimes needs to be disguised. [VERB to-infinitive]
Synonyms: require, want, demand, call for More Synonyms of need
3. singular noun [NOUN to-infinitive]
If there is a needfor something, that thing would improve a situation or something cannot happen without it.
Mr Forrest believes there is a need for other similar schools throughout Britain. [+ for]
'I think we should see a specialist.'—'I don't think there's any need for that.' [+ for]
There's no need for you to stay. [+ for]
Synonyms: necessity, call, demand, requirement More Synonyms of need
4. modal verb [with neg]
If you say that someone needn't do something, you are telling them not to do it, or advising or suggesting that they should not do it.
'I'll put the key in the window.'—'You needn't bother,' he said gruffly.
Look, you needn't shout.
She need not know I'm here.
Synonyms: have to, be obliged to More Synonyms of need
Need is also a verb.
Well, for Heaven's sake, you don't need to apologize. [VERB to-infinitive]
Come along, Mother, we don't need to take up any more of Mr Kemp's time. [VERB to-infinitive]
5. modal verb
If you tell someone that they needn't do something, or that something needn't happen, you are telling them that that thing is not necessary, in order to make themfeel better.
You needn't worry.
This needn't take long, Simon.
Buying budget-priced furniture needn't mean compromising on quality or style.
Loneliness can be horrible, but it need not remain that way.
Need is also a verb.
He replied, with a reassuring smile, 'Oh, you don't need to worry about them.' [VERB to-infinitive]
You don't need to be a millionaire to consider having a bank account in Switzerland. [VERB to-infinitive]
6. modal verb [with neg]
You use needn't when you are giving someone permission not to do something.
You needn't come again, if you don't want to.
Well, you needn't tell me anything if you don't want to.
Need is also a verb.
You don't need to wait for me. [VERB to-infinitive]
Mommy, you don't need to stay while we talk. [VERB to-infinitive]
7. modal verb [with neg]
If something need not be true, it is not necessarily true or not always true.
[formal]
What is right for us need not be right for others.
Freedom need not mean independence.
8. modal verb [with neg]
If someone needn'thave done something, it was not necessary or useful for them to do it, although they did it.
I was a little nervous when I announced my engagement to Grace, but I needn't haveworried.
We spent a hell of a lot of money that we needn't have spent.
If someone didn't need to do something, they needn't have done it.
You didn't need to give me any more money you know, but thank you. [VERB to-infinitive]
9. modal verb
You use need in expressions such as I need hardly say and I needn't add to emphasize that the person you are talking to already knows what you are going to say.
[emphasis]
I needn't add that if you fail to do as I ask, you will suffer the consequences.
Need is also a verb.
I hardly need to say that I have never lost contact with him. [VERB to-infinitive]
10. modal verb
You can use need in expressions such as 'Need I say more' and 'Need I go on' when you want to avoid stating an obvious consequence of something you have just said.
Mid-fifties, short black hair, grey moustache, distinctive Russian accent. Need Igo on?
11.
See in need
12.
See in need of
13.
See if need be/if needs be
14.
See someone needs to get out more
15.
See there's no need/no need
16.
See who needs sth?
More Synonyms of need
English Easy Learning GrammarDare and needThe two verbs dare and need have characteristics of both modal verbs and main verbs.Because of this, they are called semi-modals. They sometimes behave ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarModal verbsModal verbs are a particular kind of auxiliary. Look, I can do it! – Oh yes! So you can. Can I use your phone? – Of course you can. Do you think she will ... Read more
need in British English
(niːd)
verb
1. (transitive)
to be in want of
to need money
2. (transitive)
to require or be required of necessity (to be or do something); be obliged
to need to do more work
3. (takes an infinitive without to)
used as an auxiliary in negative and interrogative sentences to express necessity or obligation, and does not add -s when used with he, she, it, and singular nouns
need she go?
4. (intransitive) archaic
to be essential or necessary to
there needs no reason for this
noun
5.
the fact or an instance of feeling the lack of something
I have need of a new coat
6.
a requirement
the need for vengeance
7.
necessity or obligation resulting from some situation
no need to be frightened
8.
distress or extremity
a friend in need
9.
extreme poverty or destitution; penury
Word origin
Old English nēad, nied; related to Old Frisian nēd, Old Saxon nōd, Old High German nōt
need in American English
(nid)
noun
1.
necessity or obligation created by some situation
no need to worry
2.
a lack of something useful, required, or desired
to have need of a rest
3.
something useful, required, or desired that is lacking; want; requirement
list your daily needs
4.
a.
a condition in which there is a deficiency of something, or one requiring relief or supply
a friend in need
b.
a condition of poverty, or extreme want
verb transitive
5.
to have need of; want or lack; require
need is often used as an auxiliary, either uninflected and followed by an infinitive withoutto, or inflected and followed by an infinitive with to, meaning “to be obliged, must”
he need not come, he needs to be careful
verb intransitive
6. Archaic
to be necessary; chiefly in impersonal constructions
it needs not
7.
to be in need
SIMILAR WORDS: lack
Idioms:
have need to
if need be
SYNONYMY NOTE: need refers to an urgent requirement of something essential or desirable that is lacking;, UNRESOLVED CROSS REF, a more formal word, suggests an imperative need for something indispensable butlacks the emotional connotations of , need [they are in need of food, food is a necessity for all living things]; exigency refers to a necessity created by some emergency, crisis, or compelling circumstances[the exigencies created by the flood]; requisite applies to something that is indispensable to a particular end or goal [a sense of rhythm is a requisite in a dancer] needs
Derived forms
needer (ˈneeder)
noun
Word origin
ME nede < OE nied, akin to Ger not, Goth nauths < IE *neuti- < base *neu-, to collapse with weariness > Welsh newyn, starvation
Examples of 'need' in a sentence
need
There may come a time when such cases do not need to come to court.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In a good economy you only need to worry about bad people doing bad things.
Computing (2010)
Say you need his help to rebuild the trust and help you feel secure again.
The Sun (2016)
You may also need to display these in a group task.
The Sun (2016)
What is needed in this situation is an independent body to step in.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We in the care sector need money and we need it now.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You need to see it in motion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We just need him to stay fit as he is one of the best around.
The Sun (2016)
You will probably need to ask for an assessment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some say you need to drink lots to get the benefit - as much as six cups a day.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The service brings in business because many accountants realise that their cases need a specialist.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We needed to take money to make sure people had the money they said they had.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They need to be helped to regain their dignity as human beings.
The Sun (2012)
This recipe is so simple that it hardly needs instructions.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You scarcely needed to ask your boyfriend how she feels.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You always see more needs at the end of a day than you recognized at the beginning.
Christianity Today (2000)
You need to stay in there a minimum of eight or nine hours.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You will also need to buy a suitable plinth and an arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You need something very special to get past them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We will always need and want more military muscle than we can afford.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Too often their basic needs are not met.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The other was just a rubbish penalty that did not need to go in.
The Sun (2015)
We need to improve our transport networks.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We need a similar focus on value in terms of our beneficiaries.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You need to think how can you make your delivery as effective as possible.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The extra work force was needed to meet the deadline.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
Need a case to prove your point?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Say you need more of his time and attention or the moving arrangements are off - for good.
The Sun (2012)
Quotations
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needsKarl MarxCritique of the Gotha Programme
In other languages
need
British English: need /niːd/ NOUN
If you have a need for something, you cannot do what you want without it.
We try to understand each other's needs.
American English: need
Arabic: حَاجَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: necessidade
Chinese: 需求
Croatian: potreba
Czech: potřeba
Danish: behov
Dutch: behoefte
European Spanish: necesidad urgencia
Finnish: tarve
French: besoin
German: Bedürfnis
Greek: ανάγκη
Italian: esigenza
Japanese: 必要
Korean: 요구
Norwegian: behov
Polish: potrzeba
European Portuguese: necessidade
Romanian: nevoie
Russian: необходимый элемент
Latin American Spanish: necesidad
Swedish: behov
Thai: ความต้องการ
Turkish: ihtiyaç
Ukrainian: потреба
Vietnamese: nhu cầu
British English: need /niːd/ VERB
If you need something, you believe that you must have it or do it.
I need some more money.
American English: need
Arabic: يَحَتاجُ إِلَى
Brazilian Portuguese: precisar
Chinese: 需要
Croatian: trebati
Czech: potřebovat
Danish: behøve
Dutch: nodig hebben
European Spanish: necesitar
Finnish: tarvita
French: avoir besoin
German: brauchen
Greek: χρειάζομαι
Italian: aver bisogno
Japanese: 必要とする
Korean: 필요하다
Norwegian: trenge
Polish: potrzebować
European Portuguese: precisar
Romanian: a avea nevoie
Russian: нуждаться
Latin American Spanish: necesitar
Swedish: behöva
Thai: ต้องการ
Turkish: gerek duymak
Ukrainian: потребувати
Vietnamese: cần
Chinese translation of 'need'
need
(niːd)
vt
(= require) 需要 (xūyào)
⇒ The animals need food supplements throughout the winter.动物整个冬天都需要食物补给。 (Dòngwù zhěnggè dōngtiān dōu xūyào shíwù bǔjǐ.)
⇒ You need glasses.你得戴眼镜。 (Nǐ děi dài yǎnjìng.)
(= want)[drink, holiday, cigarette]想要 (xiǎng yào)
⇒ I need a holiday.我想要去度假。 (Wǒ xiǎng yào qù dùjià.)
(= could do with)[a haircut, a bath, a wash]得 (děi)
⇒ The car needs a wash.这车得洗洗了。 (Zhè chē děi xǐxǐ le.)
n(s)
(= demand) 需求 (xūqiú)
⇒ These groups are obviously answering a need.这些团体显然是在满足一种需求。 (Zhèxiē tuántǐ xiǎnrán shì zài mǎnzú yī zhǒng xūqiú.)
(= necessity) 必要 (bìyào)
⇒ There's a need for more information.有必要再寻求一些信息。 (Yǒu bìyào zài xúnqiú yīxiē xìnxī.)
to need to do sth必须(須)做某事 (bìxū zuò mǒushì)
⇒ You need to see a doctor.你必须去看医生。 (Nǐ bìxū qù kàn yīshēng.)
the car needs servicing这(這)辆(輛)车(車)需要维(維)修(脩)了 (zhè liàng chē xūyào wéixiū le)
you don't need (to have) a degree to see what's going on你很容易就能知道发(發)生了什么(麼) (nǐ hěn róngyì jiù néng zhīdào fāshēngle shénme)
he doesn't need to know or he needn't know他不必知道 (tā bùbì zhīdào)
"need I stay?" — "no, you needn't""需要我留下吗(嗎)？" "不必了" ("xūyào wǒ liúxià ma? " "bùbì le")
to be in need有困难(難) (yǒu kùnnan)
to be (badly) in need of sth(急)需某物 ((jí) xū mǒuwù)
(there's) no need (= it's not necessary) (那)不用了 ((nà) bùyòng le)
there's no need to shout (= please don't) 别(別)嚷嚷 (bié rāngrang)
there's no need for us to finish this我们(們)没(沒)有必要做完 (wǒmen méiyǒu bìyào zuòwán)
he has no need to work他没(沒)有必要工作 (tā méiyǒu bìyào gōngzuò)
to feel the need to do sth觉(覺)得应(應)该(該)做某事 (juéde yīnggāi zuò mǒushì)
Derived Forms
needsn pl (= requirements) 需求 (xūqiú)
⇒ He had not been able to satisfy her emotional needs.他没能满足她感情上的需求。 (Tā méi néng mǎnzú tā gǎnqíng shàng de xūqiú.)
⇒ the needs of industry工业的需求 (gōngyè de xūqiú)
All related terms of 'need'
(there's) no need
( it's not necessary ) (那)不用了 (nà) bùyòng le
to be in need
有困难(難) yǒu kùnnan
to need a pee
要撒尿 yào sāniào
to need to do sth
必须(須)做某事 bìxū zuò mǒushì ⇒ You need to see a doctor. → 你必须去看医生。 Nǐ bìxū qù kàn yīshēng.