necessary
gb/nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/ us/nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Essential or needed
Something you must have or do; very important and needed.
Usage pattern:
it is necessary to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'necessary' with 'needed'. While similar, 'necessary' often sounds more formal and is used in fixed expressions like 'it is necessary to...'.
Synonyms
essential (Strongly emphasizes that something is absolutely needed.)
|
required (Often used in official or formal contexts to mean needed by rules or conditions.)
Antonyms
unnecessary (Describes something not needed at all.)
|
optional (Implies a choice rather than a requirement.)
Collocations
absolutely necessary
|make it necessary
|necessary steps
|necessary changes
Themes
daily life
|planning
|rules
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It is necessary to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
- Good communication is necessary for a healthy relationship.
- The repairs were necessary after the storm caused damage.
Learner examples
- It is necessary to drink water every day.
- A passport is necessary to travel abroad.
- It is necessary to study before a test.
Noun
formal
B1
entity
2
An essential thing or condition
Something you must have or cannot live without.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'necessity' with 'necessary'. The former is a noun, the latter an adjective.
Synonyms
requirement (Often used in formal or technical contexts for something that must be met.)
|
essential (Focuses on something very important to have.)
Antonyms
luxury (Something not needed, but nice to have.)
Collocations
basic necessities
|the bare necessities
|necessities of life
Themes
daily life
|needs
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Shelter, food, and water are basic necessities of life.
- He packed only the bare necessities for the trip.
- Access to the internet has become a modern necessity.
Learner examples
- Food and water are necessities.
- Shelter is a necessity for everyone.
- Clothes are a necessity in cold weather.
Grammar
Dictionary form
necessary
IPA
GB/nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
US/nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
ne - ces - sary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ne)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: necessary
Noun
- Base: necessary
- Plural: necessaries
Word family
Forms
necessaries
noun
Core family
necessity
noun B1
necessarily
adverb B1
Related words
need
verb A1
Negative and opposite forms
unnecessary
adjective B1
unnecessarily
adverb
Advanced or less common
necessitate
verb C1
Expressions
if necessary
1/ˈɪf nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
Only if it is needed
Used to say that something will be done only if it is needed.
Examples
- We can meet earlier if necessary.
- If necessary, I will drive you myself.
make it necessary
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
Cause something to be required
To cause a situation where something must be done.
Examples
- The heavy rain made it necessary to cancel the game.
- His illness made it necessary for him to take time off work.
make the necessary arrangements
1/mˈeɪk ðə nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi ɚˈeɪnd͡ʒmənts/
fixed phrase
Prepare what is needed for something
To plan and organize what is needed for something to happen.
Examples
- Please make the necessary arrangements for the meeting.
- She made the necessary arrangements for her parents' visit.