Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

must needs

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.20 in modern English

Syllables: must needs
IPA

12

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

1

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

A pleonastic intensification of must using the adverb needs, meaning “must necessarily”.

Dated

Example Sentences

"[…]I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea; Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there."
"I remember, before the Dwarf left the Queen, he followed us one day into thoſe gardens, and my Nurſe having ſet me down, he and I being cloſe together, near ſome Dwarf Apple trees, I muſt need ſhew my Wit, by a ſilly Alluſion between him and the Trees, which happens to hold in their Language as it doth in ours."
"To do so would be to descend to the level of these poor peasants who are not content with a mere fiend-dog, but must needs describe him with hell-fire shooting from his mouth and eyes."
"It seemed to him this must needs be a marvel."

Usage

Dated

Inflected Forms

needs must (alternative)

Phrases

needs must when the devil drives

Frequently Paired Words

needs must when the devil drives

Questions

What does must needs mean?: A pleonastic intensification of must using the adverb needs, meaning “must necessarily”.

How to pronounce must needs

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