needy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "needy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is in need of assistance, usually of a financial or emotional nature. For example: The charity organization helps to provide assistance to needy families in the area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

David Hare's 1995 play seemed even richer on a second viewing, and Stephen Daldry's near-flawless revival made you believe that Bill Nighy's needy restaurateur and Carey Mulligan's puritanically idealist teacher really shared a complex emotional and sexual past.

The Guardian

And then there's the way Needy figures out what's happened to Jennifer – by feminine intuition!

The Guardian - Film

Her best friend Anita (or "Needy" – one of Cody's slightly too clever clever emblematic names) Lesnicki, played by Amanda Seyfried of Big Love, Veronica Mars and Mamma Mia!, has known her since they were three ("Sandbox love never dies," she notes in voiceover), and acts as her sounding board, agony aunt and punching bag without complaint.

The Guardian - Film

"One of our principles is to protect the needy people and to protect yourself as well.

The Guardian

Some finessing of his predecessor's legal aid cuts would restore access to justice to the most needy, without costing any more than Grayling had intended to spend.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was needy and felt indebted to them.

The Guardian

He said international food aid would be available to prevent this, but "North Korea will not allow UN and private food donors to monitor the supply of food to needy people".

The Guardian

Today's front pages are just a procession of endless, needy, high-pitched partisan wailing, trapped deep inside an impossible circlejerk of negative feedback.

The Guardian

"We've had to start saying no," sighed Athina Pirounakis, whose charity, Aegina Volunteers, distributes food and clothes to the needy.

The Guardian

"This takes paramedics off the streets as they need to recover and speak to the police, which then affects how we respond to more needy patients later on," Blezard tells me.

The Guardian

His first campaigns involved a football club using membership fees to pay the school fees of needy children, while another project became a book bank in his home town.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing individuals, consider the context. "Needy" can sometimes carry negative connotations, so choose more empathetic terms like "in need" or "under-resourced" depending on your audience.

Common error

While "needy" is a valid adjective, excessive use can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "impoverished", "destitute", or "in need of assistance" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "needy" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe people or entities that require assistance or support. This is supported by Ludwig and the provided examples, which illustrate its use in describing "needy people" or "needy patients".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needy" functions as an adjective to describe individuals or groups lacking essential resources or requiring assistance. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While frequent in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, it's important to consider the potential negative connotations and opt for more empathetic alternatives like "in need" or "under-resourced" when appropriate. The related phrases, writing guidance, and FAQs offer further insights into the nuanced use of "needy" in different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in need

A general term for requiring assistance.

lacking resources

Emphasizes the absence of necessary supplies and support.

poverty-stricken

Stresses the impact of poverty on an individual or community.

destitute

Highlights a severe lack of basic necessities.

impoverished

Emphasizes financial destitution.

indigent

Focuses on a lack of means and resources.

underprivileged

Highlights a disadvantage due to socioeconomic circumstances.

disadvantaged

Focuses on systemic barriers and inequalities.

necessitous

Indicates a state of urgent need or requirement.

dependent

Highlights reliance on others for support.

FAQs

How can I use "needy" in a sentence?

You can use "needy" to describe someone who requires assistance, either financially or emotionally. For example, "The charity provides support to "needy families"."

What are some alternatives to the word "needy"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "impoverished", "destitute", or "in need" as alternatives to "needy".

Is it appropriate to use "needy" to describe someone?

While grammatically correct, "needy" can sometimes have negative connotations. Consider using more empathetic language, such as "in need of assistance" or "under-resourced", depending on the situation.

What's the difference between "needy" and "poor"?

"Poor" generally refers to a lack of financial resources. "Needy" implies a requirement for assistance, which can be financial, emotional, or otherwise. Someone who is poor is likely to be "needy", but someone can also be needy without being poor, such as emotionally "needy".