necessity
pronunciation
How to pronounce necessity in British English:
UK [nəˈsesəti]
How to pronounce necessity in American English:
US [nəˈsesəti]
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- Noun:
- the condition of being essential or indispensable
- anything indispensable
Word Origin
- necessity (n.)
- late 14c., "constraining power of circumstances," from Old French necessité "need, necessity; privation, poverty; distress, torment; obligation, duty" (12c.), from Latin necessitatem (nominative necessitas) "compulsion, need for attention, unavoidableness, destiny," from necesse (see necessary). Meaning "condition of being in need" in English is from late 15c. Necessity is the Mother of Invention. [Richard Franck, c. 1624-1708, English author and angler, "Northern Memoirs," 1658] To maken vertu of necessite is in Chaucer. Related: Necessities.
Antonym
Example
- 1. I recognise their necessity , but fear their irresponsibility .
- 2. Certain persons are malicious solely through a necessity for talking .
- 3. Unfortunately , high commodity prices are a necessity .
- 4. My apologies to chance for calling it necessity .
- 5. Economic necessity has prompted canberra to finally relent .