Dictionary.com

needy

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

adjective, need·i·er, need·i·est.
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.
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.
having many needs to be met: Cats aren’t as needy as dogs.
noun (used with a plural verb)
Usually the needy .Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. extremely poor people collectively.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of needy

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English nedi; see origin at 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. 2023

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
FEEDBACK