need

1 /ni:d/ verb (transitive not in progressive)

1 MUST to feel that you must have something or must do something; require: need sth: That was what I needed - strong, hot coffee. | I don't need your approval, thank you very much. | need to do sth: I need to think about this before I make a decision. | need sth for: He said he needed the information for an article he was writing. | need sb to do sth: We need volunteers to clean up after the performance. | need sth badly: Money was tight and he needed a job badly.

2 to have to do something because you feel you should do it or because you think it is necessary: need (to) do sth: Do you think I need to go to the meeting? | You need to work harder if you're going to pass those exams. | Nobody need feel jealous. | need not do sth BrE: You needn't worry. I've taken care of it. | do not need to do sth: Honestly, you don't need to get changed. You look fine as you are. | need not have done sth BrE (=used when someone does something that was not necessary): Terence has done so little work, he needn't have bothered to come to school today. | did not need to do sth: What a beautiful day! I didn't need to bring my umbrella after all. | need sb do sth? BrE old-fashioned: Need we leave so soon? I'm having a wonderful time.

3 need cleaning/mending/fixing etc if something needs cleaning or needs to be cleaned, someone should clean it because it is dirty: That fence needs fixing. | need washing/mending etc: The children need collecting at 4 o'clock. | need to be washed/to be mended etc: I think these potatoes need to be cooked a little longer. | need a wash/a mend etc: He looked tired and looked like he needed a shave.

4 if a job or activity needs a particular quality, you need to have that quality in order to do it well: A job like nursing needs patience and understanding.

5 I need hardly say/tell/remind etc used when you think that people should already know what you are going to say: I need hardly remind you that people will judge the school by the way you behave.

6 need you ask/need I ask spoken used to say that someone already knows what they are asking about: “Who did it?” “Need you ask? It was Joe, of course.”

7 who needs it? spoken used to say you are not interested in something: To hell with enlightenment, who needs it?

2 noun

1 WHEN STH IS NECESSARY (singular) a situation in which something is necessary, especially something that is not happening yet or is not yet available

(+ for): the need for stricter safety regulations | There's a growing need for new housing in many rural areas. | the need to do sth: We fully recognize the need to improve communications. | Don't you ever feel the need to take a vacation? | as the need arises (=whenever it is necessary): We draw money from the account as the need arises. | if need be (=if it is necessary): I'll work all night if need be.

2 there's no need (for sb) to do sth

a) used to say that someone does not have to do something: There's no need for you to come if you don't want to.

b) spoken used to tell someone to stop doing something: There's no need to shout; I'm not deaf!

3 be in need of

a) to need to be cleaned, repaired, or given attention in some way: The whole house is in need of decorating.

b) to need help, advice, money etc, because you are in a difficult situation: I felt lonely and in need of some companionship. | be in dire need of (=need something urgently): Many of the refugees are in dire need of medical treatment.

4 have no need of to not need something: Japan has its own space technology and has no need of American help..

5 WHAT YOU NEED (countable usually plural) what someone needs to have in order to live a normal healthy comfortable life: sb's needs: We must look after the needs of the elderly. | meet/answer/fill a need (=provide something that people want or need): meeting the educational needs of every child | your every need: a service that caters for your every need

6 LACK OF MONEY (U) the state of not having enough food or money: cases of severe need in the inner cities | in need (=not having enough food or money): Our aim is to provide adequate food for those families in need.

7 in your hour of need when you are in trouble: a friend you can turn to in your hour of need