require

re·quire

verb \ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r\

re·quiredre·quir·ing

Definition of REQUIRE

transitive verb

1

a : to claim or ask for by right and authority

b archaic : request

2

a : to call for as suitable or appropriate <the occasion requires formal dress>

b : to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for <all living beings require food>

3

: to impose a compulsion or command on : compel

4

chiefly British : to feel or be obliged —used with a following infinitive <one does not require to be a specialist — Elizabeth Bowen>

intransitive verb

archaic : ask

Examples of REQUIRE

1. <the toy requires four batteries, which are not included>

Origin of REQUIRE

Middle English requeren, from Anglo-French requere, from Vulgar Latin *requaerere to seek for, need, require, alteration of Latin requirere, from re- + quaerere to seek, ask

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REQUIRE

Synonyms

bear, challenge, claim, demand, necessitate, need, take, want, warrant

Antonyms

have, hold

Related Words

entail, involve; ask, beg, claim, clamor (for), cry (for); hurt (for), lack; command, enjoin, exact, insist, press, quest, stipulate

Near Antonyms

own, possess

See Synonym Discussion at demand

Rhymes with REQUIRE

attire, backfire, bemire, catch fire, cross fire, denier, desire, entire, for hire, fox fire, Greek fire, grey friar, hang fire, hellfire, live wire, on fire, prior, rimfire, sapphire, sea fire, snow tire, town crier, trip wire, umpire, watch fire, white friar