n-e-c-e-s-s-i-t-y
NECESSITY is something that is essential, indispensable, or required; a basic need or unavoidable requirement.
14
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
NECESSITY refers to something that is absolutely needed or required; an indispensable thing. It can describe both physical needs (like food and shelter) and situational requirements (like a passport for international travel). The concept of necessity varies by context - what's necessary for survival differs from what's necessary for a particular task. In philosophy and law, necessity has special meanings. Philosophically, it relates to things that must be true or must exist. Legally, "necessity" can be a defense for actions taken to prevent greater harm.Types of necessity:
The word necessity comes from Latin necessitas, from necesse meaning "unavoidable, indispensable, necessary." The root breaks down to ne- (not) + cedere (to withdraw, yield), literally meaning "not yielding" or "unavoidable." The word entered Middle English through Old French nécessité in the 14th century. The phrase "necessity is the mother of invention" dates back to ancient times, appearing in various forms in Greek and Latin texts. The concept has been central to philosophical discourse since ancient times, with debates about free will versus necessity.
Minimum requirements for survival
Need drives innovation
Because it's required
Completely essential
•Maslow's hierarchy places physiological necessities at the base of human needs
•The legal doctrine of necessity dates back to ancient Roman law
•"Necessity knows no law" is a proverb found in many cultures worldwide
•Y can function as both a vowel and consonant, making Y-words flexible
•Double letters in NECESSITY can be useful for parallel plays
"Clean water is not a luxury but a basic necessity for human survival."
"The necessity of adapting to remote work became clear during the global pandemic."
Adjective Form
necessary
Water is necessary for survival.
Adverb Form
necessarily
Success doesn't necessarily mean happiness.
Verb Form
necessitate
The situation will necessitate immediate action.
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 14 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 6
Central to debates about free will, determinism, and what constitutes human needs versus wants.
Legal defense allowing normally illegal acts to prevent greater harm.
Necessity goods have inelastic demand - purchased regardless of price changes.
Maslow's hierarchy places physiological necessities as foundational human needs.
Confusing with "necessary"
Necessity is the noun, necessary is the adjective
Using "a necessity" for everything important
Reserve for truly essential items
Pronunciation as "ness-ess-ity"
Correct: ne-SESS-i-ty
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like NECESSITY