necessity

Something you must have because you cannot manage without it.

• Clean water is a necessity.
• We packed only the basic necessities.
• For her job, a car is a necessity.

How to use it: necessity for someone/something (A warm coat is a necessity for winter travel.)

Similar words: essential, requirement

Opposites: luxury

Common phrases: basic necessity, daily necessity, a necessity, life’s necessities

The fact that something is needed or cannot be avoided.

• We moved out of necessity.
• She questioned the necessity of another meeting.
• They emphasized the necessity of acting quickly.

How to use it: necessity of doing something (He explained the necessity of saving money.); necessity for something (There is no necessity for immediate action.)

Similar words: need

Common phrases: out of necessity, necessity of something, absolute necessity