needy

[ nee-dee ]
See synonyms for: needyneediest on Thesaurus.com

adjective,need·i·er, need·i·est.
  1. in a condition of need or want; extremely poor and not having the basic necessities: If your car is serviceable, it will be repaired and donated to a needy family.

  2. having or exhibiting an excessive emotional need, as for attention, intimacy, or reassurance: As he became more competent and less needy, his interpersonal relationships improved.

  1. having many needs to be met: Cats aren’t as needy as dogs.

noun(used with a plural verb)
  1. Usually the needy .Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. extremely poor people collectively.

Origin of needy

1
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English nedi; see origin at need, -y1

Other words from needy

  • need·i·ly, adverb
  • un·need·y, adjective

Words Nearby needy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use needy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for needy

needy

/ (ˈniːdɪ) /


adjectiveneedier or neediest
    • in need of practical or emotional support; distressed

    • (as collective noun; preceded by the): the needy

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