Need meaning

What does “need” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“need” is a noun and verb with 7 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a condition requiring relief.

need

a condition requiring relief
“she satisfied his need for affection”
“God has no need of men to accomplish His work”
Synonymsdemand
anything that is necessary but lacking
“he had sufficient means to meet his simple needs”
“I tried to supply his wants”
Synonymswant
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
“we did not understand his motivation”
“he acted with the best of motives”
Synonymsmotivation motive
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
“their indigence appalled him”
“a general state of need exists among the homeless”
Synonymsindigence penury pauperism pauperization

require as useful, just, or proper
“It takes nerve to do what she did”
“success usually requires hard work”
Synonymsnecessitate ask postulate require take involve call for demand
have need of
“This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner”
Synonymswant require
have or feel a need for
“always needing friends and money”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University