needy

[ nee-dee ]

adjective

, need·i·er, need·i·est.

1. in a condition of need or want; extremely poor and not having the basic necessities:

   If your car is serviceable, it will be repaired and donated to a needy family.

2. having or exhibiting an excessive emotional need, as for attention, intimacy, or reassurance:

   As he became more competent and less needy, his interpersonal relationships improved.

3. having many needs to be met:

   Cats aren’t as needy as dogs.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the needy. Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. extremely poor people collectively.

needy

/ ˈniːdɪ /

adjective

1. 1. in need of practical or emotional support; distressed
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the needy

Other Words From

• need·i·ly adverb
• un·need·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of needy¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English nedi; need, -y ¹

Example Sentences

As a way to be more available to needy souls outside the church, Williams took a clerk job at Walgreens pharmacy.

From The Daily Beast

The foundation, named after her mother, provides financial help to needy families that are infertile.

From The Daily Beast

Fatherless and emotionally needy, du Pont was a loner who sought companionship and adoration—usually at great financial cost.

From The Daily Beast

He has close ties with the city political establishment and serves more than 200 needy families a week through his food bank.

From The Daily Beast

The officers—led by a woman named Dawn Lerner—provide food and shelter at the hospital for needy people they find on the road.

From The Daily Beast

A very few weeks flew over the head of the needy man, before he was reduced to the same pitiable straits.

From Project Gutenberg

The needy and the poor seek for waters, and there are none: their tongue hath been dry with thirst.

From Project Gutenberg

An assistant in the benevolent work of Mme. de la Chanterie, he visited the needy sick whom she pointed out.

From Project Gutenberg

By 1775, there were nine free schools endowed by private philanthropists for the poor and needy.

From Project Gutenberg

They all evinced a strong religious character, but in addition had a care for the old and needy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• destitute
• disadvantaged
• indigent
• penniless
• poor
• poverty-stricken
• underprivileged