Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Poor enough to need help from others: Lacking the necessities of life; living in poverty and requiring assistance.
   • Demanding or needing attention, affection, or reassurance to an excessive degree: Having emotional needs that are perceived as excessive or requiring constant fulfillment.

2. Noun:

   • Needy people collectively: Used with a plural verb and typically preceded by "the" to refer to people who are poor and require aid as a group.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Poor):
  • Charitable organizations provide food and shelter for needy families.
  • The scholarship fund was established to support needy students.
• Adjective (Emotionally demanding):
  • He became very needy and insecure after the breakup.
  • A needy child may require constant validation from their parents.
• Noun:
  • This charity's mission is to help the needy.
  • Donations will be distributed to the needy before the holidays.

Advanced Usage

• "The needy" as a collective noun: This is a standard, though sometimes critiqued, term in social and charitable contexts to refer to impoverished people as a demographic.
  • Policies should aim to empower the needy, not just provide temporary relief.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: "needier," "neediest."
  • Of all the applicants, she came from the neediest background.
  • His behavior grew needier as he felt more isolated.

Variants and Related Words

• Need (n/v): The condition of requiring something; to require something.
  • There is a great need for affordable housing.
• Neediness (n): The state or quality of being needy, often referring to the emotional sense.
  • Her neediness was a strain on their friendship.

Synonyms

• Adjective (Poor): Impoverished, destitute, indigent, underprivileged.
• Adjective (Emotionally demanding): Clingy, dependent, insecure, high-maintenance.

Antonyms

• Adjective (Poor): Wealthy, affluent, prosperous.
• Adjective (Emotionally demanding): Independent, self-sufficient, secure.

Related Phrases

• "The poor and needy": A common paired phrase emphasizing economic hardship.
  • The program offers legal aid to the poor and needy.
• "Financially needy": Explicitly specifies the economic aspect to avoid confusion with the emotional meaning.
  • Grants are awarded based on being financially needy.

Adjective

1. demanding or needing attention, affection, or reassurance to an excessive degree
2. poor enough to need help from others

Noun

1. needy people collectively
   • they try to help the needy