needy
gb/nˈidi/ us/nˈidi/
B1
English
~ 9900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
lacking money or basic necessities
Not having enough money, food, or other important things needed to live.
Usage pattern:
needy [people/group]; [someone] is needy
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "needy" for any kind of lack, for example *"a needy company"* to mean a company that needs money. In modern English, this sense of "needy" is usually used about people or groups of people, not things or companies.
Synonyms
impoverished (More formal; often used in writing about social or economic issues.)
|
poor (More general and common; can sound more direct and less carefully chosen than "needy".)
Antonyms
well-off (Describes people who have more than enough money and comfort.)
Collocations
needy children
|needy families
|needy communities
|help the needy
|aid for the needy
|the poor and needy
Themes
society
|economy
|charity
|daily_life
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The charity raises money to support needy families in the city.
- Food banks play an important role in helping needy communities.
- She volunteers every weekend, delivering hot meals to needy children.
- Government programs often focus on providing housing for the most needy citizens.
- Donations of clothing and blankets were collected for needy people after the storm.
Learner examples
- The school gives free lunch to needy students.
- We gave old clothes to needy people in our town.
- Many needy families live in this part of the city.
- They started a group to help needy children.
- The city opened a shelter for needy people.
adjective
informal
B2
property
2
emotionally dependent or clingy
Wanting a lot of love, time, and attention from other people, so that it feels like too much.
Usage pattern:
needy [person/partner/friend]; [someone] seems/acts needy
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with financial need and say things like *"a needy job"* when they mean a job that requires a lot of time. In this emotional sense, "needy" is used almost only about people (or sometimes pets), not about tasks or things.
Synonyms
clingy (Very close in meaning; slightly more informal and often used for romantic partners or children.)
|
dependent (Can be more neutral and broader, not always about emotional needs only.)
Antonyms
independent (Describes someone who does not rely heavily on others for emotional support or practical help.)
Collocations
needy partner
|emotionally needy
|needy behavior
|seem needy
|act needy
|overly needy
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He broke up with her because he felt she was too needy and always wanted to know where he was.
- I don't want to sound needy, but could you please text me when you get home?
- Her last boyfriend was very emotionally needy and expected constant reassurance.
- In the early weeks, new puppies can be quite needy and follow you everywhere.
- She worries that asking for help will make her look needy in front of her colleagues.
Learner examples
- He calls his girlfriend every hour, and she thinks he is too needy.
- I do not want to be needy, so I try not to ask for help all the time.
- Her new boyfriend is very needy and always wants her attention.
- Some people are shy, but other people are needy and want a lot of love.
- My friend is needy after the breakup and needs me to listen every day.
Noun
B2
entity
3
people who lack basic necessities
People who are very poor and do not have the basic things they need to live.
Usage pattern:
the needy [verb]; help the needy
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget the article and say *"needy need help"* instead of the fixed group expression "the needy". In this noun sense, it is almost always used as "the needy".
Synonyms
the poor (More common and slightly broader; can include anyone with low income, while "the needy" highlights stronger need for help.)
Antonyms
the wealthy (Refers to people who have a lot of money and resources, the opposite social group to "the needy".)
Collocations
the needy
|help the needy
|support for the needy
|care for the needy
|services for the needy
Themes
society
|charity
|daily_life
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The organization provides free medical care for the needy.
- During the holidays, many groups collect food and clothing for the needy.
- Her will states that a portion of her estate should go to the needy.
- Local volunteers cooked hot meals for the needy after the flood.
- The fund was created to offer scholarships to the needy in rural areas.
Learner examples
- The church gives money to the needy.
- We collected canned food for the needy.
- Many people want to help the needy in their city.
- This charity was started to support the needy.
- The program gives free books to the needy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
needy
IPA
GB/nˈidi/
US/nˈidi/
Syllables & stress
needy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (needy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: needy
- Comparative: needier
- Superlative: neediest
Noun
- Base: needy
Word family
Expressions
care for the needy
1/kˈɛɹ fɚ ðə nˈidi/
fixed phrase
look after people in need
To look after and support people who are very poor or in difficult life situations.
Examples
- The organization was founded to care for the needy and homeless.
- Volunteers dedicate their weekends to caring for the needy in the area.
help the needy
1/hˈɛlp ðə nˈidi/
fixed phrase
give aid to people in need
To give money, things, or services to people who are very poor and need help.
Examples
- They started a non-profit to help the needy in their community.
- Donations from this event will help the needy after the earthquake.
support for the needy
1/səpˈɔɹt fɚ ðə nˈidi/
fixed phrase
assistance for people in need
Money, services, or help that is given to people who are very poor or in a hard situation.
Examples
- The city increased support for the needy during the winter months.
- New policies aim to provide better support for the needy and unemployed.
the poor and needy
1/ðə pˈʊɹ ˈænd nˈidi/
fixed phrase
people who are poor and in need
People who are very poor and do not have the basic things they need to live.
Examples
- The charity focuses on providing food and shelter for the poor and needy.
- Many religious groups see it as a duty to care for the poor and needy.