necessary

1 of 2

adjective

nec·​es·​sary ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē How to pronounce necessary (audio)
1
: absolutely needed : required
Food is necessary for life.
2
a
: of an inevitable nature : inescapable
Death is a necessary feature of the human condition.
b(1)
: logically unavoidable
a necessary conclusion
(2)
: that cannot be denied without contradiction
c
: determined or produced by the previous condition of things
the necessary outcome of the affair
d
: compulsory
Taking the oath of obedience is necessary.

necessary

2 of 2

noun

plural necessaries
: an indispensable item : essential

Examples of necessary in a Sentence

Adjective Some say that Hvorostovsky's Don Giovanni lacks the necessary menace; others find that he tosses his mane about too flamboyantly. Francine Du Plessix Gray, New Yorker, 22 Sept. 2003
From the very outset the eminence of this new creature, the intellectual,  … was inseparable from his necessary indignation. Tom Wolfe, Harper's, June 2000
Our most cataclysmic moments are typically free of gravitas, of necessary thunder; a person dies, but instead of the sky darkening and lightning striking, the sun continues to shine and the birds to sing. Alain de Botton, Harper's, October 1998
Is it really necessary for me to have surgery? The threat of a thunderstorm made it necessary to cancel the picnic. It's not necessary to wear a tie. Food is necessary for life. We had all the necessary ingredients. She took the medicine only when absolutely necessary. Higher prices are a necessary consequence of the company's new services. Noun "I thoroughly understand you," cried Mrs. Norris, " … My dear Sir Thomas, with all my faults I have a warm heart; and, poor as I am, would rather deny myself the necessaries of life than do an ungenerous thing." Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
I took up the two officers in my hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into every other pocket about me, except my two fobs, and another secret pocket I had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little necessaries that were of no consequence to any but myself. Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, 1726
a modest income that provided the family with only the necessaries of life
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Everything is spread out, meaning a car is necessary to explore. Sophie Yun Mancini, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2024 Federal water officials warned that major cutbacks were necessary in some of the states that rely on the Colorado River: Nevada, Arizona and California. Daniel Rothberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024 Upon switching uniforms, trading in Dallas’ royal blue and green for the Charlotte Hornets’ purple and teal scheme, an introduction between Grant Williams and Miles Bridges wasn’t necessary. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2024 Some family members of people with disabilities — and even doctors — frustrated by these resource constraints insist that a return to larger, institution-like settings is necessary. Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024 The turquoise truck received its necessary permits on Feb. 1, and Saldaña held Banzito’s grand opening on Feb. 24 at Fowler Ranch Farm Brewery in Lincoln. Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2024 Comfort-food movie-viewing is extremely valid, and, in our opinion, a necessary part of a balanced media diet—so why deny yourself? Emma Specter, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2024 But the best shipyards welcome outsiders who bring the friction that sparks creativity—such open-mindedness is especially necessary as technology continues to expand what’s possible. Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024 Up to 10 or so refueling flights will be necessary for one HLS flight to the moon. William Harwood, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
Blakely has been charged with capital murder, while Washington is charged with child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm. Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 19 Apr. 2023 Tramontana trotted downstairs, grabbed the necessaries and made the carbonara — but the experience lingered. Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 11 Oct. 2019 Everyday necessaries such as Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco have missed time, too. Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 13 June 2019 The large, refrigerated trailer has fruits, veggies and meat — the necessaries that make up a balanced diet. Ben Brazil, latimes.com, 10 May 2018 Across the way, a 10-year-old mucks out a stall, taking on all the necessaries in caring for her calf. Sharon Hoffmann and Dan Kelly, kansascity, 13 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'necessary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English necessarie, from Latin necessarius, from necesse necessary, probably from ne- not + cedere to withdraw — more at no

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of necessary was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near necessary

Cite this Entry

“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessary. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

necessary

1 of 2 adjective
nec·​es·​sary ˈnes-ə-ˌser-ē How to pronounce necessary (audio)
1
: going to happen with no way of preventing it : inescapable
tests are a necessary part of school
2
: being the only logically possible result
a necessary conclusion
3
: being required : mandatory
it is necessary to attend all practices
4
: absolutely needed : essential
food is necessary for life
necessarily
ˌnes-ə-ˈser-ə-lē
adverb

necessary

2 of 2 noun
plural necessaries
: something necessary : requirement
the necessaries of life
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English necessarie "necessary, required," derived from Latin necesse "necessary, unavoidable," from ne- "not" and cedere "to go, go away" — related to concede, succeed

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