needy

[nee-dee]

adjective, need·i·er, need·i·est.

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

noun

(used with a plural verb) needy persons collectively (usually preceded by the): Help the needy.

Origin of needy

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

Related formsneed·i·ly, adverbun·need·y, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for needies

needy

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

Word Origin and History for needies

needy

adj.

late 12c., neodi "poor, indigent," from need (n.) + adjectival suffix -y (2). Cf. Dutch noodig, German nothig, Old Norse nauðigr. As a noun from mid-14c. Related: Needily; neediness.