needful

[ need-fuhl ]

adjective

1. necessary or required:

   needful supplies.

2. needy.

needful

/ ˈniːdfʊl /

adjective

1. necessary; needed; required
2. archaic.
   needy; poverty-stricken

noun

1. the needful informal.
   the needful money or funds

   do you have the needful?

2. do the needful
   do the needful to perform a necessary task

Derived Forms

• ˈneedfulness, noun
• ˈneedfully, adverb

Other Words From

• needful·ly adverb
• needful·ness noun
• un·needful adjective
• un·needful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of needful¹

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; need, -ful

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. the needful, Slang. money, especially immediately available cash:

   They haven't the needful for a car right now.

Example Sentences

He became irritable, distressed, and anxious—struggled hard to get the needful sum together, struggled and strove; but failed.

From Project Gutenberg

It is needful to have the time fixed, and the law therefore has established a reasonable time.

From Project Gutenberg

There are many cases like this in which one's common sense fails to furnish a correct, yet needful guide.

From Project Gutenberg

The period of infancy is fixed by law, and is therefore a conventional, yet needful regulation.

From Project Gutenberg

Rise early enough to have ample time for arranging everything needful for the day's journey.

From Project Gutenberg