nec·es·sary
ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē 
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.
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
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
Essence, 24 June 2025
At that point, intravenous infusion of liquids, including electrolytes, multivitamins, glucose, and potassium, will be immediately necessary.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Among other necessaries will be Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor separating Gaza from Egypt, to ensure that Hamas can’t resupply itself with weapons.
—Bret Stephens, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessary
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
For many, rocking garments and accessories that reflect the richness of Black history while moving in rhythm to the soundtracks of the holiday’s celebration was not just a necessary reprieve, but a spiritual embrace.
—Essence, 24 June 2025
At that point, intravenous infusion of liquids, including electrolytes, multivitamins, glucose, and potassium, will be immediately necessary.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Noun
At George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia there were several such necessaries on the grounds.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Among other necessaries will be Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor separating Gaza from Egypt, to ensure that Hamas can’t resupply itself with weapons.
—Bret Stephens, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessary
Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessary. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
necessary
1 of 2 adjective
nec·es·sary
ˈnes-ə-ˌser-ē
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
adverb
ˌnes-ə-ˈser-ə-lē
necessary
2 of 2 noun
plural necessaries
: something necessary : requirement
the necessaries of life
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share