needy

adjective

ˈnē-dē 

needier; neediest

1

: being in want : poverty-stricken

needy families

… where needy children from the community could come to get free, nutritious meals.

—Liza N. Burby

2

: marked by want of affection, attention, or emotional support

emotionally needy

The girl was needy for her mother's affection.

neediness noun

Synonyms

• beggared
• beggarly
• broke
• destitute
• dirt-poor
• down-and-out
• famished
• hard up
• impecunious
• impoverished
• indigent
• necessitous
• needful
• pauperized
• penniless
• penurious
• poor
• poverty-stricken
• skint [chiefly British]
• threadbare

Examples of needy in a Sentence

As a child, she was extremely needy and had no self-confidence.

those generous souls who regularly give money and donate clothes to help the needy

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, many Americans are thrilled by their connection with needy persons through crowdfunding, preferring that to traditional giving. —Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 2 Jan. 2025

Mostly, Caritas helps needy families make ends meet, reaching almost 10,000 people in 2023, said Mr. Trincia of Caritas. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025

Lebanon Fire Department Spirit of Christmas Toy Drive, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 7: Shipwreck Cove at Elm Hill Marina in Nashville will hold the boat parade and auction to benefit needy Wilson County children this season. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 29 Nov. 2024

Sabine is insufferable—a bad spouse and a bad friend, simultaneously needy and negligent. —Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing needy

• the needy

Kids Definition

needy

adjective

ˈnēd-ē 

needier; neediest

1

: being in want : very poor

needy families

2

: marked by want of affection, attention, or emotional support

a tendency to be emotionally needy

neediness noun