neediness
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of neediness
First recorded in 1350–1400, neediness is from the Middle English word nedynes. See needy, -ness
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And what defines neediness, especially for families with children in college?
From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026
Authorities such as James Serpell have suggested that these dogs’ neediness brings out our maternal instincts, Herzog noted.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
The character’s neediness and insecurities are cringe-inducing and hilarious, but his love for movies makes him sympathetic — or at least not completely insufferable.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025
Without explicitly saying so, Goode reveals in Haddix and others a breed of human drawn by a dark neediness to these animals that nature designed to grow beyond their control.
From Salon • Aug. 18, 2024
Her eyes are closed, her voice is pure neediness, pure woe.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
