Where does “needy” come from?

Needy derives from Middle English nedy, from Old English nēdiġ, from Proto-Germanic naudigaz, meaning characterized by or full of need.

needy (English): In need; poor; Desiring constant affirmation;...

Definitions

  1. In need; poor; Desiring constant affirmation;...

Ancestry of “needy”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishnedy—
2Old Englishnēdiġ—
3Proto-Germanicnaudigazof need, forced, compelled

Words derived from “needy”

Every word from Proto-Germanic naudigaz →Every word from Old English nēdiġ →Every word from Middle English nedy →