Definitions for need

Definitions for (noun) need

Main entry: need, motivation, motive

Definition: 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

Usage: we did not understand his motivation; he acted with the best of motives


Main entry: need, want

Definition: anything that is necessary but lacking

Usage: he had sufficient means to meet his simple needs; I tried to supply his wants


Main entry: need, demand

Definition: a condition requiring relief

Usage: she satisfied his need for affection; God has no need of men to accomplish His work; there is a demand for jobs


Main entry: indigence, need, pauperism, pauperization, penury

Definition: a state of extreme poverty or destitution

Usage: their indigence appalled him; a general state of need exists among the homeless


Definitions for (verb) need

Main entry: want, need, require

Definition: have need of

Usage: This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner


Main entry: need

Definition: have or feel a need for

Usage: always needing friends and money


Main entry: take, necessitate, need, ask, require, postulate, call for, involve, demand

Definition: require as useful, just, or proper

Usage: 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


Visual thesaurus for need