English Explanatory Dictionary

necessary

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Required, essential, whether logically inescapable or needed in order to achieve a desired result or avoid some penalty.
  2. Unavoidable, inevitable.
  3. Determined, involuntary: acting from compulsion rather than free will.
noun
  1. A place to do the "necessary" business of urination and defecation: an outhouse or lavatory.
  2. Necessity.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈnɛs.ə.sɹi/ /ˈnɛs.əˌsɛ.ɹi/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-necessary.wav en-us-necessary.ogg /ˈnɛs.ə.ɹi/ /nᵻˈsɛsᵊ.ri/ /ˈnɛs.ə.sə.ri/

Word forms

necessary necessarier more necessary necessariest most necessary necessaries necessarys

Etymology

From Middle English necessarye, from Old French necessaire, from Latin necessārius (“unavoidable, inevitable, required”), variant of necesse (“unavoidable, inevitable”), probably from ne or non cessum, from the perfect passive participle of cēdō (“yield; avoid, withdraw”); see cede. Older use as a noun in reference to an outhouse or lavatory under the influence of English and Latin necessārium, a medieval term for the place for monks’ “unavoidable” business, usually located behind or attached to monastic dormitories.

Synonyms

basic essential indispensable necessar necessary needed prerequisite required requisite inevitable natural bathroom latrine necessarium toilet toilet room urinal water closet WC cloaca closet jacques kocay siege cludgie neddy netty shield six facilities ladies and gentlemen lavatory lavabo necessary room office office of ease place potty privy small room smallest room throne room cottage geography House of Lords khazi usual offices restroom teahouse tearoom washroom comfort room CR closet of decency closet of ease house of office necessary place purging place vault withdraught

Antonyms

unnecessary evitable incidental impossible

Related words

necessariness necessitate necessitation necessitousness necessitude necessity necessary house necessary place necessary stool necessary vault

Derived words

equinecessary innecessary necessarian necessarily necessary condition necessary evil necessary room necessary woman nonnecessary seminecessary socially necessary labour time
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