need
UK: niːd | US: niːd
n. a requirement or necessity
vt. to require something essential
vi. to be in want or necessity
The word "need" originates from Old English nēod or nīed, meaning "necessity, compulsion, or distress." It is derived from Proto-Germanic nauthiz, which conveys urgency or constraint. Over time, the spelling simplified to "need," retaining its core sense of something indispensable. Unlike many modern English words, "need" is monomorphic—its structure cannot be further divided into smaller meaningful units without losing its original spelling integrity.
There is an urgent need for clean water in the disaster area.
Plants need sunlight to grow.
She felt the need to apologize after the misunderstanding.
Do we really need another meeting today?
His kindness met her emotional need for support.