necessity

indispensability / requirement / inevitability

[C/U] Both

pl: necessities

This word carries a heavy weight of obligation or survival. It describes things that cannot be avoided or skipped without causing failure or death. It differs from want or desire by removing all element of choice from the equation. In philosophical or legal contexts, it describes a state of absolute certainty where no other outcome is possible. This creates a feeling of rigidity and inevitability, contrasting with possibility or chance.

Uncountable when referring to the general state of being required (the necessity of the law). Countable when referring to a specific object or requirement (food and shelter are necessities).

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Sarah is at her desk while David is in a meeting.

David Smith

Can we pivot the brand guide to include 3D assets? It's a strategic necessity.

Sarah

I'm already slammed. Unless you're paying me more, it's hardly a necessity.

💡

David uses 'necessity' in a corporate context to justify adding more work (using the buzzword 'pivot'), while Sarah uses it to push back, employing the slang 'slammed' to indicate she is overwhelmed with work.

Meanings

Nounindispensability

The state or fact of being required; indispensability.

"Clean drinking water is a basic necessity for human survival."

Nounrequirement

An indispensable condition or requirement.

"A valid passport is a necessity for international travel."

Nouninevitability

The quality of being inevitable; something that must happen.

"The logical necessity of the conclusion follows from the premises."

Last Updated: June 9, 2026•Report an Error

necessity

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Meanings

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