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 of needy

• 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

Dozens of people, the vast majority of Somali descent, were charged in a previous fraud scandal under Walz’s tenure involving a nonprofit prosecutors say falsely claimed to be providing meals to needy children during the Covid-19 pandemic. —Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026

Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of people with allegedly defrauding state programs that offered meals to needy children, behavioral therapy for children with autism and assistance for seniors searching for housing. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026

Philoptochos means friends of the poor and needy. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025

Case managers who help identify needy kids and work at each office will, if needed, take calls 24/7. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 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