ENGLISH
REFERENCE

needs

n. C / U
A1 Beginner US //ˈnidz// UK //nˈiːdz// needs Archaic

n. the things that you must have to live a healthy or successful life. It often refers to basic things like food, water, and safety.

n. the requirements or necessities for an individual's well-being, survival, or success. Often used in the plural to describe a set of essential conditions or items.


SIMPLE

The charity provides for the basic needs of the homeless.

CONTEXTUAL

Social workers assess the specific needs of each family to ensure they receive the correct level of support.

COMPLEX

Maslow's hierarchy suggests that humans must satisfy fundamental physiological needs before they can focus on higher-level psychological growth and self-actualization.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English nedes (“of necessity, necessarily; inevitably, unavoidably”) [and other forms], from Old English nēdes, nīedes (“of necessity; not willingly”), from nīed + -es (suffix forming adverbs from nouns). The English word is equivalent to need + -'s (possessive marker) and hence to need + -s (suffix forming adverbs).

Etymology 2

From need + -s.

Usage

Commonly used in the plural ('needs') when referring to general requirements; the singular is often used for a specific lack or requirement.

Idioms3 entries

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