DictionaryAI

necessary

NES-uh-ser-ee/ˈnɛsəˌsɛɹi/NES-uh-sree/ˈnɛsəsɹi/

Noun pluralnecessaries, necessarys

5 meanings of necessary

Practice

  1. 1
    requiredadjective
    Needed to reach a goal, to do something, or to avoid trouble.

    Like a key you must have to open a locked door.

    A passport is necessary if you want to travel abroad.

    Bring all the necessary tools before you start the job.

    UsageSay it is necessary to ask first.

    Similaressential, needed, required, indispensable, requisite

    Oppositeunnecessary

  2. 2
    certain to happenadjective
    Sure to happen and impossible to stop or avoid.

    Like the sun going down each evening: it happens whether you want it or not.

    Growing older is a necessary part of life that no one can avoid.

    Death is the necessary end of every life.

    Similarinevitable

    Oppositeincidental

    Note
  3. 3
    nounarchaiceuphemistic
    An old, polite word for a toilet, either outside or inside the house.

    Similartoilet, lavatory, bathroom, restroom, washroom

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    essential thingnoun
    Something you need to live or to do a job, now used mostly in the plural, necessaries.

    Like the basic things you must pack for a trip: you can't leave without them.

    A court can make a parent pay for a child's necessaries, like food and clothes.

    In the old days, sailors went to sea with only a small bag of necessaries.

    UsageThings you need are necessaries. One thing is a necessity.

    Note
  2. 5
    adjectiveobsolete
    Done because you are forced to, not by free choice.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin necessarius, meaning 'unavoidable' or 'required'. English got it through Old French. As a noun, it once meant a toilet or outhouse.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts