The difference between Need and Require

When used as verbs, need means to have an absolute requirement for, whereas require means to ask (someone) for something.


Need is also noun with the meaning: a for something.

check bellow for the other definitions of Need and Require

  1. Need as a noun (countable, and, uncountable):

    A for something; something .

    Examples:

    "There's no need to speculate; we can easily find out for sure."

    "She grew irritated with his constant need for attention."

    "Our needs are not being met."

    "I've always tried to have few needs beyond food, clothing and shelter."

  2. Need as a noun:

    Lack of means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.

  1. Need as a verb (transitive):

    To have an absolute requirement for.

    Examples:

    "Living things need water to survive."

  2. Need as a verb (transitive):

    To want strongly; to feel that one must have something.

    Examples:

    "After ten days of hiking, I needed a shower and a shave."

  3. Need as a verb (modal verb):

    To be obliged or required (to do something).

    Examples:

    "You need not go if you don't want to."

  4. Need as a verb (intransitive):

    To be required; to be necessary.

  5. Need as a verb (obsolete, transitive):

    To be necessary (to someone).

  1. Require as a verb (obsolete):

    To ask (someone) for something; to request.

  2. Require as a verb:

    To demand, to insist upon (having); to call for authoritatively.

  3. Require as a verb:

    Naturally to demand (something) as indispensable; to need, to call for as necessary.

  4. Require as a verb:

    To demand of (someone) to do something.

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