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

Medicaid is a state-federal program that provides healthcare services to 4.2 million needy Floridians — mainly children, the disabled, pregnant women, parents and caretakers. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025

The Deep, Dark Truth Your phone, when left to its own devices, is a needy little thing. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 12 Apr. 2025

This is made worse by his needy eyes and floppy curly hair. —Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025

Do stole funds meant to feed needy seniors during COVID. —Janet Nguyen, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing needy

• the needy

Rhymes for needy

• beady
• greedy
• guidi
• reedy
• seedy
• speedy
• tweedy
• weedy
• unready

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