needs

[ needz ]

/ nidz /

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adverb

of necessity; necessarily (usually preceded or followed by must): It must needs be so. It needs must be.

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?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of needs

before 1000; Middle English nedis,Old English nēdes, originally genitive of nēdneed; see -s¹

Words nearby needs

needle valve, needlewoman, needlework, need like a hole in the head, needn't, needs, needs test, needy, Néel, Néel point, neem

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use needs in a sentence

So as of right now, because everything is changing so drastically on a regular basis, and we are in a needs-based business, we’re continuing to lean in where our customers are actively searching for glasses, or looking for our types of products.
Marketing Briefing: Zenni’s vp of growth marketing on making the switch to ‘bite-sized’ planning windows due to Covid|Kristina Monllos|August 3, 2021|Digiday
He testified that Avenatti lied to him about the status of the funds, saying the county was at fault for failing to approve a “special needs trust,” which preserves public benefits eligibility for people with disabilities.
Avenatti Grills Paraplegic Client He Allegedly Stole From: ‘Did You Appreciate Me?’|Kate Briquelet, Meghann Cuniff|July 22, 2021|The Daily Beast
“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the other thing that needs to be done is for us citizens to do.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Ney said McDonnell needs to “keep a stiff lip” and stay in close contact with family members.
Abramoff’s Advice for Virginia’s New Jailhouse Guv|Tim Mak, Jackie Kucinich|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Following the Apatow references, Marge informs Homer that she needs to use the “Porta Potty.”
Here’s the Lost Judd Apatow ‘Simpsons’ Episode, Penned by Judd Apatow|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“If Charleston harbor needs improvement, let the commerce of Charleston bear the burden,” he said.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern|Lloyd Green|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Urbanity ushers in water that needs no apology, and gives a zest to the worst vintage.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
Yet if there is a measure of untruth in such pretty flatteries, one needs to be superhuman in order to condemn them harshly.
Children's Ways|James Sully
In one sense, then, the new issue has adequate expansibility for ordinary needs.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Even genius, however, needs direction and adjustment to secure the most perfect and reliable results.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
The poverty of earlier days was the outcome of the insufficiency of human labor to meet the primal needs of human kind.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock

British Dictionary definitions for needs

needs

/ (niːdz) /

adverb

(preceded or foll by must) of necessitywe must needs go; we will go, if needs must

pl n

what is required; necessitiesthe needs of the third world; his needs are modest

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

needs

Origin of needs

Words nearby needs

Words related to needs

How to use needs in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for needs