[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/need/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [N](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/n/) / need # need verb (need, needs, needed, needing); modal (need not, needn't); noun (a need, needs) «need» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To need something is to have to have it, because you cannot do well without it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m1) 2. To need to do something is to have to do it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m2) 3. A need is something a person or animal must have, like food, water and a home. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m3) 4. «Needn't» means do not have to: «You needn't come». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m4) 5. (casual) «Need» is often said for «want»: «I need that game!»; «need a hand?» means can I help. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m5) 6. (rude) «Do we need to hear this?», «nobody needs your opinion» are put-downs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m6) 7. (euphemism) «Special needs» or «additional needs» is a polite term for a child who needs extra help; «in need» means poor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m7) 8. (formal) Exams say «require», «requisite», «necessitate», «the quantity required», «the shortfall» (how much is still needed) and «is obliged to». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#m8) ### In the lessons a target: how much is needed for a task, compared with what one has; or an amount each one needs; in science, living things need air, water and food; phrases «need to», «in need», «no need», «needs more», «if need be»; in casual talk «need a hand?», «we're 4, need 3 each», «I need a wee»; in rough talk «I don't need your crap», «nobody needs your help»; in the exam voice «the quantity required», «determine the shortfall», «each unit requires 3 eggs» ### Examples - She needs 9 cups of flour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x1) - He needs 20 dollars but has 12. How many more does she need? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x2) - Each cake needs 3 eggs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x3) - Plants need water and sunlight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x4) - You need to finish your homework first. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x5) - We collected food for families in need. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x6) - There is no need to shout. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x7) - we're 4, need 3 each, how many sausages then [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x8) - Need a hand with them boxes? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x9) - I don't need your help, I can count to 20 myself! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x10) - A recipe requires 3 eggs per cake. Determine the shortfall, given 7 eggs on hand and 4 cakes to be baked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x11) - You needn't bring anything, we've got heaps. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/#x12) ### Note Marks a target. «needs N, has M; how many more» gives N − M. «each needs N» with a count gives a product. «requires» in an exam means needs; «the shortfall» is target − what you have. Trap: «needs» is not what one already has. «Need» and «want» differ: you need food, you may only want sweets. «Knead» (to press dough) sounds the same. ## In Jewish tradition In the Torah, "need" often means the poverty of a person, and the law commands lending enough to meet it. "Must needs" is old English for "must necessarily". **Interpretation.** The law of lending teaches that one should give the poor person what he lacks. The rabbis took this to include even what he was used to having. ### Examples - but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth. (Torah DEU.15.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/need/#x1) - He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised; and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. (Torah GEN.17.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/need/#x2) - And the servant said unto him: 'Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land; must I needs bring thy son back unto the land from whence thou camest?' (Torah GEN.24.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/need/#x3) - They are like a pillar in a garden of cucumbers, and speak not; they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. (Prophets JER.10.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/need/#x4) - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king: 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. (Writings DAN.3.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/need/#x5) - and also the Levites shall no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it for the service thereof.' (Writings 1CH.23.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/need/#x6) ### Note Marks a target. «needs N, has M; how many more» gives N − M. «each needs N» with a count gives a product. «requires» in an exam means needs; «the shortfall» is target − what you have. Trap: «needs» is not what one already has. «Need» and «want» differ: you need food, you may only want sweets. «Knead» (to press dough) sounds the same. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «need» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/need/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«need» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/need.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «need» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/need/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«need» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/need.html) on Mova free.