necessary: meaning, pronunciation and examples

/ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/·NES-uh-sair-ee

Necessary (adjective) means needed in order to do something or to get a result.

What does “necessary” mean?

  1. 1

    adjectiveneeded in order to do something or to get a result

    Is it necessary to book a table?

Necessary at a glance

Part of speech
adjective
CEFR level
A2 (elementary)
Pronunciation
/ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ · NES-uh-sair-ee

How to use “necessary” correctly

Spell it with one “c” and double “s”: necessary. Don’t say “I am necessary to go”; say “I need to go” or “It is necessary for me to go.”

Common phrases with “necessary”

  • if necessary
  • it is necessary to do sth
  • necessary for sth

Synonyms (similar meaning)

  • essential
  • required

Antonyms (opposite meaning)

  • unnecessary

Word family

  • necessarily
  • necessity
  • unnecessary

“necessary” is on these word lists

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