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

• impoverished
• poor

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

To be human is to be needy, and to seek affirmation and solace. —Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

The same can be said for White, if a running back-needy team. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Speaking on behalf of her caucus, Senate Democrats Chair London Lamar, D-Memphis, agreed that the state must step in if the federal government fails to secure funding for needy families. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025

Also, there’s an outside shot Tony Pollard gets dealt to a running back-needy team before the deadline. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 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