[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/needy/)

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# needy

adjective (needy, needier, neediest); noun (the needy)

«needy» 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. Needy people are poor and do not have enough money, food or things they need. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#m1)
2. The needy means poor people as a group. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#m2)
3. (informal) A needy person wants a lot of attention, help or comfort from others. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#m3)

### In the lessons

In ethics, church life and charity: help the needy, give to needy families, food banks. In everyday talk: «My puppy is so needy — he follows me everywhere.»

### Examples

- Our school collected food for needy families. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#x1)
- The church gives warm meals to the needy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#x2)
- Christians believe they should care for the needy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#x3)
- Children in needy areas may have no books at home. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#x4)
- My little brother is very needy when he is tired. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#x5)
- The charity helps needy children all over the world. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/#x6)

### Note

«The needy» takes a plural verb: the needy are helped. Be respectful: many people prefer «people in need». The informal «needy» (clingy) can sound unkind about a person.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah the needy are poor people who are protected by special laws.

**Interpretation.** The Torah commands Israel to open the hand to the needy brother. Tradition made charity (tzedakah) a duty and not just a kindness, and also forbade delaying the wages of a poor worker.

### Examples

- For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy poor and needy brother, in thy land.' (Torah DEU.15.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/needy/#x1)
- Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates. (Torah DEU.24.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/needy/#x2)
- Howbeit there shall be no needy among you — for the LORD will surely bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it — (Torah DEU.15.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/needy/#x3)
- For the LORD hearkeneth unto the needy, and despiseth not His prisoners. (Writings PSA.69.34, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/needy/#x4)
- For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. (Writings PSA.109.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/needy/#x5)
- He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. (Prophets JER.22.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/needy/#x6)

### Note

«The needy» takes a plural verb: the needy are helped. Be respectful: many people prefer «people in need». The informal «needy» (clingy) can sound unkind about a person.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «needy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/needy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«needy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/needy.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «needy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/needy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«needy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/needy.html) on Mova free.