WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
need•i•ness
(nē′dē nis),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- a condition of want or need;
poverty;
indigence.
- Middle English nedynes. See needy, -ness 1350–1400
need•y /ˈnidi/USA pronunciation
adj., -i•er, -i•est, n.
adj.
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026adj.
- poor;
destitute:donations to help needy families.
n.
- the needy, [plural] needy persons thought of as a group.
need•y
(nē′dē),USA pronunciation adj., need•i•er, need•i•est, n.
adj.
n.
need′i•ly, adv.
adj.
- in a condition of need or want;
poverty-stricken;
impoverished;
extremely poor;
destitute.
n.
- (used with a pl. v.) needy persons collectively (usually prec. by the):Help the needy.
- 1125–75; Middle English nedi; see need, -y1
'neediness' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):