needy

Needy is an adjective describing someone or something that requires a lot of attention, care, or resources. It can refer to emotional needs in personal relationships or to material or logistical needs in work, caregiving, or welfare contexts. The term can also describe situations that demand ongoing support, such as a project with high resource demands or a person with chronic health needs.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from need, with the suffix -y, and historically meant "in want" or "poor." In older usage, needy did not always carry a strongly negative connotation; in modern English, however, it more often implies excessive or burdensome dependence.

Usage and connotations: In everyday speech, needy frequently carries a negative tone when describing a person who is perceived as overly demanding or insecure. In psychology and relationship studies, neediness (or attachment anxiety) describes patterns of seeking reassurance and closeness that can influence interactions and relationship dynamics. The term can also describe situations that impose heavy or continual demands on resources.

Social and policy context: Referring to people as "the needy" is increasingly viewed as stigmatizing. More respectful and precise language is often preferred, such as "people experiencing poverty," "people with high support needs," or "individuals in need," depending on the context. In media and literature, the term is used to characterize traits or dynamics, sometimes to critique or explore dependency.