From Middle English need, nede, a merger of two terms:
Old English nīed (West Saxon), nēd (Mercian), nēad, from Proto-West Germanic *naudi, from Proto-Germanic *naudiz, from Proto-Indo-European *neh₂w-.
Old English nēod, from Proto-West Germanic *neud, from Proto-Germanic *neudaz, from Proto-Indo-European *new- ("to incline, tend, move, push, nod, wave").
From Middle English neden, from Old English nēodian.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.