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

There’s also a bartender, Peterman’s Gabby, who is far more self-sufficient than Barbra Jean, but just as needy as her former, far more kooky alter-ego. —Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 18 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, California gets another shot at getting food money to needy kids. —Denise Amos, The Mercury News, 17 July 2024

Peterman plays Gabby, a needy, dramatic bartender who has worked at the tavern for quite some time. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024

That complaint seeks revocation of Dr. Sophy’s license to provide mental health counseling to needy patients. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 11 Oct. 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