Standard Lemma guide

needn't

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /niːdn̩t/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: N IY1 D AH0 N T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Need not.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, auxiliary, formal, literary, negative

Examples

  • We needn’t go to sleep early because tomorrow morning school starts late.
  • I needn’t have washed the car: shortly after it started raining.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: did/does/do not have to/need to

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From need + -n't.