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necessity

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //nəˈsɛsəti// UK //nəsˈɛsɪti// ne·ces·si·ty General-service

n. something that you must have or do in a particular situation. It is a basic need that you cannot live or work without.

n. the state or fact of being required or indispensable; a requirement that follows logically or legally from a set of conditions.


SIMPLE

Water is a basic necessity for all living things.

CONTEXTUAL

The legal team argued that the breach of contract was a matter of necessity due to the sudden natural disaster.

COMPLEX

While the initial investment seemed high, the upgrade was a strategic necessity to remain competitive in an increasingly digital global marketplace.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English necessite, from Old French necessite, from Latin necessitās (“unavoidableness, compulsion, exigency, necessity”), from necesse (“unavoidable, inevitable”); see necessary. Doublet of Necessitas.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the abstract quality of being needed; countable when referring to specific required items or circumstances.

Pitfall

it is a necessity of doingit is a necessity to doWhen followed by an action, this noun typically takes a to-infinitive rather than a prepositional phrase.

Idioms1 entry

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