Necessity Meaning and Definition
Necessity
Pronunciation
/nəˈsɛsɪti/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The quality or state of being necessary or essential, or something that is required for a particular purpose or circumstance.
Examples
- A necessity for survival is food and water.
- Protecting the environment is a necessity for future generations.
Synonyms
- Essentiality
- Requirement
Antonyms
- Irrelevance
- Insignificance
Etymology
The word “necessity” comes from the Latin “necessitas”, derived from “necesse”, meaning “necessary” or “indispensable”.
Usage Notes
Necessity is often used to describe something that is required or essential for a particular purpose or situation. It can also be used to describe a situation or event that is unavoidable or inevitable.
Cultural References
Necessity has appeared in various forms of media, including literature and music. For example, the concept of necessity is explored in Albert Camus’s novel “The Myth of Sisyphus”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Necessity is the mother of invention”
- “It is a necessity, not a luxury”
Related Words or Phrases
- Mandatory
- Essential
- Required
Collocations
- necessity of the situation
- necessity for progress
- necessity to consider
Frequency of Use
Necessity is a commonly used word in modern language, especially in formal and professional contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Necesity
- Neccessity
- Necissity