Need Definition

need
noun
  1. a condition requiring relief; "she satisfied his need for affection"; "God has no need of men to accomplish His work"; "there is a demand for jobs"
  2. anything that is necessary but lacking; "he had sufficient means to meet his simple needs"; "I tried to supply his wants"
  3. 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"
  4. a state of extreme poverty or destitution; "their indigence appalled him"; "a general state of need exists among the homeless"
verb
  1. require as useful, just, or proper; "It takes nerve to do what she did"; "success usually requires hard work"; "This job asks a lot of patience and skill"; "This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice"; "This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert"; "This intervention does not postulate a patient's consent"
  2. have need of; "This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner"
  3. have or feel a need for; "always needing friends and money"

"Need" in song lyrics

See how need is used in real songs:

  • "Not depending on others to get what you need"
    2 Live Crew — With Your Badself
  • "Thats what I need"
    504 Boyz f/ Krazy, Mac — Big Toys
  • "Bring your toothbrush, a fresh pair of panties, yo, and that's all you need"
    69 Boyz — Da Mote(l)

Words that rhyme with need

Usage tips for "need"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "need" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for need to find words that pair well.

Look up another word