Reading Theme:
Necessity: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：essential item (necessity)
necessity
/nəˈsesəti/
n.
Something you must have to live or do something properly, like food, water, or shelter.
essential item
➕
/ɪˈsenʃl ˈaɪtəm/
n.
A thing that is absolutely required for survival or the proper functioning of something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'necessitas' (unavoidable compulsion), via Old French 'necessité'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'NEED-CITY'. You absolutely NEED these things to build or sustain your 'city' of life.
📖 Example
When planning a long hike, packing enough water is an absolute necessity.
Adequate water is an indispensable essential item for a long hike.
🔗 Collocations
basic necessity – a fundamental requirement for living
absolute necessity – something completely indispensable
sheer necessity – driven by pure, unavoidable need
🔄 Synonyms
requirement (n.) – something that is needed or obligatory
essential (n.) – a thing that is absolutely necessary
prerequisite (n.) – a thing required as a prior condition
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
necessary (adj.) – required to be done, achieved, or present
necessarily (adv.) – as a necessary result; inevitably
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'ne-cesse' ('not-yielding'), meaning something unavoidable. In philosophy, it's central to debates on free will vs. determinism, often discussed by thinkers like Aristotle (necessity vs. contingency).
Meaning 2：compelling need (necessity)
necessity
/nəˈsesəti/
n.
The fact that something must happen or be done because of the situation.
compelling need
➕
/kəmˈpelɪŋ niːd/
n.
The state or fact of being required or unavoidable due to specific circumstances or natural laws.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The rapid spread of the virus highlighted the necessity for everyone to wear masks in public.
The situation created an unavoidable compelling need for public mask-wearing.
🔗 Collocations
out of necessity – because there is no other choice
by necessity – forced by circumstances; inevitably
necessity of life – something unavoidably required for existence
🔄 Synonyms
inevitability (n.) – the quality of being certain to happen
compulsion (n.) – the action or state of forcing or being forced
imperative (n.) – an essential or urgent thing
Meaning 3：strong urge (necessity)
necessity
/nəˈsesəti/
n.
A strong feeling that you must have or do something.
strong urge
➕
/strɒŋ ɜːdʒ/
n.
A powerful internal feeling or impulse that compels one to take a specific action.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After working for ten hours straight, she felt the necessity to take a short break and drink some tea.
She experienced a powerful strong urge to pause and have tea.
🔗 Collocations
feel the necessity – to experience an internal compulsion
bodily necessity – a basic physical need or urge
pressing necessity – an urgent internal demand
🔄 Synonyms
impulse (n.) – a sudden strong and unreflective urge
compulsion (n.) – an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
drive (n.) – an innate, biologically determined urge
🚫 Antonyms
indifference (n.) – lack of interest, concern, or feeling
aversion (n.) – a strong dislike or disinclination
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