neediness

American

[nee-dee-nis] / ˈni di nɪs /

noun

a condition of want or need; poverty; indigence.

neediness British

/ ˈniːdɪnɪs /

noun

the state of being needy; poverty

"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

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 movies all showcase mothers and sons; many of them seek to untangle relationships knotted and gnarled by neediness, selfishness or cruelty.

From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2024

For a story about female empowerment, it is vexing that Ken's neediness, loneliness and identity crisis hijack the plot for long stretches and force Barbie to help him, not the reverse.

From Salon • Jul. 19, 2023

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