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

Every dollar helps Money given directly to needy mothers and children is overwhelmingly spent to cover necessary goods or services, according to Chastity Lord, president and chief executive of the Jeremiah Program, which works to improve economic mobility for single mothers. — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

The Bank King Card debit card will be offered beginning Friday in honor of Juneteenth by Redemption Bank, which will make a donation from every account opened to nonprofits that will steer the funding to needy families. — ABC News, 19 June 2026

But the agents were needy from the start. — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

As one of the most prominent unrestricted free agents on the board, Reaves could command an over-the-top max offer from a talent-needy rival such as the Brooklyn Nets. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 17 June 2026

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