Dictionary.com

needy

[ nee-dee ]
/ ˈni di /
See synonyms for: needy / neediest on Thesaurus.com

adjective, need·i·er, need·i·est.

in a condition of need or want; extremely poor; poverty-stricken; impoverished; destitute.

noun

(used with a plural verb)Usually the needy . needy persons collectively: Help the needy.

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
gato/gata
cato/cata
gatto/gatta
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of needy

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English nedi; see need, -y1

OTHER WORDS FROM needy

need·i·ly, adverbun·need·y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to needy

poor, underprivileged, poverty-stricken, penniless, disadvantaged, destitute, indigent, flat, down-and-out, impecunious, penurious, necessitous, beggared, dirt poor, down at heel, unprosperous

British Dictionary definitions for needy

needy
/ (ˈniːdɪ) /

adjective needier or neediest

  1. in need of practical or emotional support; distressed
  2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the needy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012