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
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
Cecilia could hear the neediness in her own voice.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
