What does “require” mean?
- 1
verbto need something
This recipe requires three eggs.
- 2
verbto make someone do something because of a rule or law
Passengers are required to wear seat belts.
Require at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- B1 (intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /rɪˈkwaɪɚ/ · rih-KWY-ur
How to use “require” correctly
“Require” is more formal than “need”. Common pattern: “be required to do”: “All staff are required to attend.”
Common phrases with “require”
- be required to
- require that
- required by law
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- need
- demand
Word family
- requirement
- required
“require” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- be verbA1used to describe or identify a person or thing
- do verbA1to perform an action or activity
- have verbA1to own, hold or possess something
- let verbA1to allow someone to do something
- need verbA1to require something because it is important or necessary
- bestow verbC2to give an honor, gift or title to someone, formally