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Needful: meaning, definitions and examples

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needful

 

[ ˈniːdfəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

necessary requirement

The term 'needful' describes something that is required or essential. It implies a necessity for something to be done or for a certain condition to be met. The word is usually used in literary contexts or formal writing and is somewhat antiquated in modern usage. However, it captures the essence of urgency or importance regarding a requirement.

Synonyms

essential, necessary, required, vital

Examples of usage

  • Please gather the needful documents for the meeting.
  • It is needful that we address the issue immediately.
  • She took the needful steps to ensure safety.

Translations

Translations of the word "needful" in other languages:

🇵🇹 necessário

🇮🇳 आवश्यक

🇩🇪 notwendig

🇮🇩 perlu

🇺🇦 необхідний

🇵🇱 potrzebny

🇯🇵 必要な (hitsuyōna)

🇫🇷 nécessaire

🇪🇸 necesario

🇹🇷 gerekli

🇰🇷 필요한 (piryohan)

🇸🇦 ضروري (daruri)

🇨🇿 nezbytný

🇸🇰 nevyhnutný

🇨🇳 必要的 (xūyào de)

🇸🇮 potreben

🇮🇸 nauðsynlegur

🇰🇿 қажет

🇬🇪 აუცილებელი (aucilebeli)

🇦🇿 lazım

🇲🇽 necesario

Etymology

The word 'needful' originates from the Old English 'nēodfull', which combines 'nēod', meaning 'need', and 'full', indicating 'full of' or 'having the quality of'. Its usage can be traced back to the early Middle Ages, where it was commonly used in literature and documents to refer to something that was deemed necessary. Over time, while the word has fallen out of popular usage, its meaning has remained consistent. The term was more frequently found in works of classical literature and religious texts, often emphasizing the importance of adhering to certain obligations or commands. In contemporary English, 'needful' is less commonly used, with 'necessary' and 'essential' becoming the preferred alternatives. However, it still holds a place in the lexicon, particularly in poetic or formal contexts, where a certain level of antiquity can add to the depth and richness of the text.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,057, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.