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
Laura is an older woman, highly educated, actively devout, intelligent, resourceful, good-humored and a long-time resident of a community that struggles to balance its relative wealth with the neediness of surrounding communities.
From Salon • Sep. 30, 2025
That isn’t to say that Michaela doesn’t have her troubles — indeed, her neediness, which expresses itself as caretaking, resembles Devon’s.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2025
Cecilia could hear the neediness in her own voice.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
