needy

Meaning

Adjective

• In need; poor.
• Desiring constant affirmation; lacking self-confidence.
• Needful; necessary.

Related

Opposite words

• confident, self-sufficient

Origin

• , from Proto-Germanic *naudigaz ("of need, forced, compelled"), equivalent to need + -y. Cognate with Scots nedy, neidy, Saterland Frisian niedich ("miserable, poor, wretched, needy"), Saterland Frisian nöödich, West Frisian nedich, Dutch nodig ("necessary"), Middle Low German nōdich ("necessary, urgent, by requirement"), German nötig ("necessary, needful"), Danish nødig ("necessary"), Swedish nödig ("necessary"), Icelandic nauðugur ("constrained").