need
to have to have something, or to want something very much
What else do you need?
Oxford Essential Dictionary
verb (needs, needing, needed)
1 If you need something, you must have it:
All plants and animals need water.
You don't need your coat – it's not cold.
2 If you need to do something, you must do it:
James is very ill. He needs to go to hospital.
'Do we need to pay now, or can we pay next week?' 'You don't need to pay now.'
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
need
I. need1 S1 W1 /niːd/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: need, needs, the needy; adjective: needless, needy; verb: need; adverb: needlessly]
1. [transitive not in progressive] to have to have something or someone, because you cannot do something without them, or because you cannot continue or cannot exist without them SYN require:
You don’t really need a car.
Plants need light in order to survive.
The camcorder needs a new battery.
Are you sure that you have everything you need?
need something for something
I need glasses for reading.
need somebody to do something
I need you to help me with the cooking.
need something desperately/badly/urgently
More blood donors are urgently needed.
much needed/badly needed
a much needed boost to the local economy
2. [transitive not in progressive] to feel that you want something very much:
I need a drink.
If you need anything, just say.
need to do something
She needed to go out for a walk.
3. need to do something used when saying that someone should do something or has to do something:
He needs to see a doctor straightaway.
I need to catch up on my office work.
You need to let me know by Monday if you want to take part.
4. [modal] British English used in negative sentences when saying that something is not necessary or not always true ⇨ have to
need not/needn’t
You needn’t stay long.
Going to the dentist need not necessarily be a painful experience.
need not have done something/need not do something
You needn’t have spent all that money.
I needn’t have worried.
need I/we etc do something? British English old-fashioned:
Need we leave so soon?
somebody need never do something
Jim need never find out what I said.
5. [transitive] used when saying that something should have something done to it, or has to have something done to it
something needs doing
The house needed painting.
Does this shirt need ironing?
something needs to be checked/cleaned/done etc
The engine will need to be completely checked.
The pie doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
need a (good) wash/clean/cut etc (=ought to be washed, cleaned etc)
His hair needs a wash.
6. [transitive] if a job needs a quality or skill, you must have that quality or skill in order to do it well:
The job needs a lot of patience.
Being a teacher needs a high level of motivation.
7. I need hardly say/tell/remind etc British English used when you think people should already know what you are going to say:
I need hardly remind you that this information is confidential.
8. you need only do something/all you need do is ... British English used when saying that you only have to do something in order to do something else:
We need only look at the building to see how much money it will take to repair.
All we need do is threaten them.
9. need I ask/need I say more/need I go on etc? British English used to say that it is not necessary to ask or say more about something, because the rest is clear:
She’s lazy, slow, and stubborn. Need I say more?
10. that’s all I need/that’s just what I didn’t need spoken used when saying that you did not want something to happen, especially when it seems annoying:
‘There’s a customer for you on the phone.’ ‘That’s all I need!’
11. need something like a hole in the head informal used when saying that you definitely do not need something
12. who needs it/them? spoken
a) used to say you are not interested in something:
Make-up, who needs it?
b) used to say that someone or something is actually very important to you:
Kids? Who needs them!
• • •
GRAMMAR
Verb patterns
You can say that you need to do something:
▪ I need to clean (NOT I need clean) the house.
If someone else is going to do something for you, you can say that you need something done:
▪ I need my car fixed urgently.
When you are talking about the object that is going to have something done to it, you can say that it needs cutting, cleaning etc or needs to be cut, cleaned etc:
▪ My hair needs cutting.
▪ That box needs to be moved (NOT needs moved).
Negatives
You can say that you don’t need to do something or need not/needn’t do something:
▪ I don’t need to leave (NOT don’t need leave) until 10.
▪ You needn’t apologize (NOT needn’t to apologize).
Need not means that it is not necessary to do something. Do not use it to mean must not (=should not, or are not allowed to):
▪ You needn’t take any money.
▪ You mustn’t take any sharp objects on the plane.
If you say that someone needn’t have done something, you mean that it was not necessary for them to do it although they did it anyway:
▪ We needn’t have ordered so much food. Do not use it when something was not necessary and was not done. Use didn’t need to:
▪ I didn’t need to tell him who I was – he already knew.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ need if you need something, you must have it, because you cannot do something without it: I need your help. | The people desperately need food and clean water.
▪ require formal to need something: Children require a lot of attention. | The game requires great skill.
▪ can’t do without something to be unable to do something without something: A lot of people can’t do without their mobile phones.
▪ could do with something/could use something informal to need or want something: Shall we stop? I could do with a rest.
▪ be desperate for something to need something urgently: Liz was desperate for a cigarette. | The people are desperate for food.
▪ be dependent on something/somebody to be unable to live or continue normally without something or someone: The refugees are dependent on outside food supplies.
▪ demand formal if one thing demands another, it needs that thing in order to happen or be done successfully: The situation is urgent and demands immediate action.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
need
need [need needs needed needing] verb, modal verb, noun [niːd] [niːd]
verb
1. to require sth/sb because they are essential or very important, not just because you would like to have them
• ~ sth/sb Do you need any help?
• It's here if you need it.
• Don't go— I might need you.
• They badly needed a change.
• Food aid is urgently needed.
• What do you need your own computer for? You can use ours.
• I don't need your comments, thank you.
• ~ to do sth I need to get some sleep.
• He needs to win this game to stay in the match.
• You don't need to leave yet, do you?
• This shirt needs to be washed.
• ~ doing sth This shirt needs washing.
2. ~ to do sth used to show what you should or have to do
• All you need to do is complete this form.
• I didn't need to go to the bank after all— Mary lent me the money.
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
Old English nēodian (verb), nēod, nēd (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch nood and German Not ‘danger’.
Thesaurus:
need verb T (not usually used in the progressive tenses)
• Babies need large amounts of love.
rely on/upon sb/sth • • call for sth • • demand • |especially spoken want • |formal require •
really need/call for/want/demand/require sth
just need/want/require sth
Grammar Point:
need
There are two separate verbs need.
Need as a main verb has the question form do you need?, the negative you don’t need and the past forms needed, did you need? and didn’t need. It has two meanings: 1. to require something or to think that something is necessary: ▪ Do you need any help? ◊ ▪ I needed to get some sleep. 2. to have to or to be obliged to do sth: ▪ Will we need to show our passports?
Need as a modal verb has need for all forms of the present tense, need you? as the question form and need not (needn’t) as the negative. The past is need have, needn’t have. It is used to say that something is or is not necessary: ▪ Need I pay the whole amount now?
Example Bank:
• I just need some information.
• Research is urgently needed into the causes of this illness.
• She needed some money badly.
• These people may need 24-hour attention, but they do not necessarily need to be in hospital.
• You hardly need me to tell you that your father is still very frail and must not be upset.
• You may well need to look outside your preferred area to find affordable accommodation.
• Don't go— I might need you.
• I don't need your comments, thank you.
• It's here if you need it.
• You don't need to leave yet, do you?
Idioms: if need be ▪ need your head examined
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
need / niːd / verb (MUST HAVE)
A1 [ T ] to have to have something, or to want something very much:
Babies need constant care.
The doctor said I needed an operation.
[ + to infinitive ] I need to go to the toilet.
Most people need to feel loved.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] I need you to help me choose an outfit.
I badly need (= strongly want) a rest from all this.
informal I don't need all this hassle.
B1 [ T ] If you say that someone or something needs something else, you mean that they should have it, or would get an advantage from having it:
What you need is a nice hot bowl of soup.
[ + -ing verb ] This room needs brighten ing up a bit.
[ + past participle ] She needs her hair wash ed .
need / niːd / verb (MUST DO)
A1 [ + to infinitive or + infinitive without to ] to have (to):
[ + to infinitive ] He needs to lose a bit of weight.
I need to do some shopping on my way home from work.
There needs to be more effort from everyone.
[ + infinitive without to ] I don't think we need ask him.
Nothing need be done about this till next week.
formal "Need we take your mother?" "No, we needn't."
sb/sth needn't do sth UK A2 there is no reason for someone or something to do a particular thing:
You needn't worry - I'm not going to mention it to anyone.
It's a wonderful way of getting to see Italy, and it needn't cost very much.
sb needn't do sth mainly UK used, often when you are angry with someone, to say that they should not do a particular thing or that they have no right to do it:
He needn't think I'm driving him all the way there!
You needn't laugh! It'll be your turn next!
sb didn't need to used to say either that someone did a particular thing although they did not have to, or that they did not do it because they did not have to:
I gave her some extra money - I know I didn't need to but I thought it would be kind.
"Did you ask Sophia to help?" "I didn't need to - I managed perfectly well on my own."
sb needn't have done sth mainly UK it was not necessary for someone to have done a particular thing, although they did do it:
You needn't have washed all those dishes, you know - I'd have done them myself when I got home.
You needn't have worried about the dinner - it was delicious!
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
need
[ni͟ːd]
♦
needs, needing, needed
(Need sometimes behaves like an ordinary verb, for example `She needs to know' and `She doesn't need to know' and sometimes like a modal, for example `She need know', `She needn't know', or, in more formal English, `She need not know.')
1) VERB: no cont If you need something, or need to do something, you cannot successfully achieve what you want or live properly without it.
[V n] He desperately needed money...
[V n] These diets provide everything your body needs...
[V to-inf] I need to make a phone call...
[V to-inf] A baby does not need to wear shoes until he starts to walk...
[V n to-inf] I need you to do something for me...
[V n adv/prep] I need you here, Wally...
[V n adj] I need you sane and sober.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N to-inf, N for n
Need is also a noun. Charles has never felt the need to compete with anyone. ...the child who never had his need for attention and importance satisfied. ...the special nutritional needs of the elderly, babies and children.
2) VERB: no cont If an object or place needs something doing to it, that action should be done to improve the object or place. If a task needs doing, it should be done to improve a particular situation.
[V n/-ing] The building needs quite a few repairs.
[V n/-ing] ...a garden that needs tidying...
[V to-inf] The taste of vitamins is not too nice so the flavour sometimes needs to be disguised.
3) N-SING: usu with supp, oft N for n, N to-inf If there is a need for something, that thing would improve a situation or something cannot happen without it.
Mr Forrest believes there is a need for other similar schools throughout Britain...
`I think we should see a specialist.' - `I don't think there's any need for that.'...
There's no need for you to stay.
4) MODAL: with neg If you say that someone needn't do something, you are telling them not to do it, or advising or suggesting that they should not do it.
`I'll put the key in the window.' - `You needn't bother,' he said gruffly...
Look, you needn't shout...
She need not know I'm here.
VERB: no cont, with neg
Need is also a verb. V to-inf Well, for Heaven's sake, you don't need to apologize... V to-inf Come along, Mother, we don't need to take up any more of Mr Kemp's time.
5) MODAL: with brd-neg If you tell someone that they needn't do something, or that something needn't happen, you are telling them that that thing is not necessary, in order to make them feel better.
You needn't worry...
This needn't take long, Simon...
Buying budget-priced furniture needn't mean compromising on quality or style...
Loneliness can be horrible, but it need not remain that way...
He need never drink again if he doesn't want to.
VERB: no cont, with neg
Need is also a verb. V to-inf He replied, with a reassuring smile, `Oh, you don't need to worry about them.'... V to-inf You don't need to be a millionaire to consider having a bank account in Switzerland.
6) MODAL: with neg You use needn't when you are giving someone permission not to do something.
You needn't come again, if you don't want to...
Well, you needn't tell me anything if you don't want to.
VERB: no cont
Need is also a verb. V to-inf You don't need to wait for me... V to-inf Mommy, you don't need to stay while we talk.
7) MODAL: with neg If something need not be true, it is not necessarily true or not always true. [FORMAL]
What is right for us need not be right for others...
Freedom need not mean independence.
8) MODAL: with neg If someone needn't have done something, it was not necessary or useful for them to do it, although they did it.
She could have made the sandwich herself; her mum needn't have bothered to do anything...
I was a little nervous when I announced my engagement to Grace, but I needn't have worried...
We spent a hell of a lot of money that we needn't have spent.
VERB: no cont, with neg
If someone didn't need to do something, they needn't have done it. V to-inf You didn't need to give me any more money you know, but thank you.
9) MODAL: oft with brd-neg (emphasis) You use need in expressions such as I need hardly say and I needn't add to emphasize that the person you are talking to already knows what you are going to say.
I needn't add that if you fail to do as I ask, you will suffer the consequences.
VERB: no cont
Need is also a verb. V to-inf I hardly need to say that I have never lost contact with him.
10) MODAL You can use need in expressions such as `Need I say more' and `Need I go on' when you want to avoid stating an obvious consequence of something you have just said.
Mid-fifties, short black hair, grey moustache, distinctive Russian accent. Need I go on?
11) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR People in need do not have enough of essential things such as money, food, or good health.
The new Children Act places an enhanced duty on education authorities to provide for children in need...
Remember that when both of you were in need, I was the one who loaned you money.
Syn:
needy
12) PHRASE: PHR n If you are in need of something, you need it or ought to have it.
I was all right but in need of rest...
He was badly in need of a shave...
The house was in need of modernisation when they bought it.
13) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that you will do something, especially an extreme action, if need be, you mean that you will do if it is necessary. In British English, you can also say if needs be.
They will now seek permission to take their case to the House of Lords, and, if need be, to the European Court of Human Rights.
Syn:
if necessary
14) PHRASE: oft PHR to-inf, PHR for n You can tell someone that there's no need for them to do something as a way of telling them not to do it or of telling them to stop doing it, for example because it is unnecessary. [SPOKEN]
There's no need to call a doctor...
There's no need for that kind of language in this magazine...
`I'm going to come with you.' - `Now look, Sue, there's no need.'
15) PHRASE: PHR n You can say `Who needs something?' as a way of emphasizing that you think that this thing is unnecessary or not useful. [INFORMAL]
With apologies to my old history teacher, who needs history lessons?...
Cigarettes, who needs them?
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1need /ˈniːd/ verb needs; need·ed; need·ing
1 [+ obj] : to be in a condition or situation in which you must have (something) : to require (something)
• Do you need help?
• I need some advice. What do you think of this dress?
• I just need a couple of minutes to get ready.
• Most babies need at least 12 hours of sleep a day.
• We badly need a vacation.
• a badly needed vacation = a much-needed vacation
• Further research is urgently needed if we are to find a cure.
• Another delay is the last thing I need!
• Men? Who needs them?! I certainly don't.
- often used of things
• This plant needs lots of sunlight.
• The soup needs some salt. [=this soup does not have enough salt]
• They're buying a house that needs a lot of work. [=that is in poor condition]
• This problem needs your attention. [=you should give your attention to this problem]
2 [+ obj]
a
- used to say that some action is necessary
• I've got a lot of laundry that needs washing.
- usually followed by to + verb
• I've got a lot of laundry that needs to be washed.
• We need to hurry or we'll miss the bus.
• A lot of work needs to be done to the house.
• You don't need to [=have to] answer that if you don't want to.
• “Should we lock the car doors?” “No, I don't think we need to.”
b
- used to say that it is important and necessary for someone to do something; followed by to + verb
• I need you to tell me the truth. [=you have to tell me the truth]
• We need you to be well-rested for the game tomorrow.
• We need you to answer a few questions.
3 [modal verb]
- used to say that something is necessary
• All you need do is ask. [=all you need to do is ask]
• You need only look at her [=it is only necessary for you to look at her] to understand why I fell in love.
- usually used in negative statements and in questions for which the answer is assumed by the speaker to be “no”
• You needn't leave if you don't want to. [=you don't have to leave if you don't want to]
• You need not answer these questions. [=you don't have to answer these questions]
• I told him he needn't worry.
• Nothing bad happened. You need not have worried.
• Need I point out that your father disagrees?
✦The modal verb need is used especially in British English. In U.S. English, it is commonly used in phrases like need not apply and need I say more.
• High school dropouts need not apply. [=they should not apply because they will not get the job]
• The movie was a complete waste of time. Need I say more? [=that is all I need to say]
need no introduction
- see introduction
