need

verb (MUST DO)

/niːd/

Definition

A1 [+ to infinitive or + infinitive without to] to have (to): [+ to infinitive] He needs to lose a bit of weight. I need to do some shopping on my way home from work. There needs to be more effort from everyone. [+ infinitive without to] I don't think we need ask him. Nothing need be done about this till next week.formal "Need we take your mother?" "No, we needn't."Essential or necessary sb/sth needn't do sth UK A2 there is no reason for someone or something to do a particular thing: You needn't worry - I'm not going to mention it to anyone. It's a wonderful way of getting to see Italy, and it needn't cost very much.Essential or necessary sb needn't do sth mainly UK › used, often when you are angry with someone, to say that they should not do a particular thing or that they have no right to do it: He needn't think I'm driving him all the way there! You needn't laugh! It'll be your turn next!Expressions of anger sb didn't need to › used to say either that someone did a particular thing although they did not have to, or that they did not do it because they did not have to: I gave her some extra money - I know I didn't need to but I thought it would be kind. "Did you ask Sophia to help?" "I didn't need to - I managed perfectly well on my own."Essential or necessary sb needn't have done sth mainly UK › it was not necessary for someone to have done a particular thing, although they did do it: You needn't have washed all those dishes, you know - I'd have done them myself when I got home. You needn't have worried about the dinner - it was delicious!Essential or necessary

(Definition of need verb (MUST DO) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)