needs

American  

[needz] / nidz /

adverb

1. of necessity; necessarily (usually preceded or followed bymust ).

   It must needs be so.

   It needs must be.

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needs British  

/ niːdz /

adverb

1. (preceded or foll by must) of necessity

   we must needs go

   we will go, if needs must

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plural noun

1. what is required; necessities

   the needs of the third world

   his needs are modest

Etymology

Origin of needs

First recorded before 1000; Middle English nedis, Old English nēdes, originally genitive of nēd need; -s ¹

Example Sentences

What if one of you needs money or simply changes their mind about these properties?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

But the report said more needs to be done to address vaccine hesitancy and those harmed by the Covid jabs needed easier access to bigger payouts.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Netflix needs to convince people to stay on the platform.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Companies will have to address in their proposals how they will contend with energy costs and workforce needs; they can send American workers overseas or hire locally, Helberg said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

“The funeral was a week ago, so I hope so. There’s something I need to give him. Besides, I’m sure the office needs my attention. All that paperwork isn’t going to take care of itself.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam