require
//ɹɪˈkwaɪə//
Forms
- present (v1)
- require
- past (v2)
- required
- past participle (v3)
- required
- present participle
- requiring
- 3rd person singular
- requires
Definitions
1.To demand, to insist upon (having); to call for authoritatively.
- "I am Miss Newbury," I announced, "and I require to be shown to my room immediately, if you please."
2.Naturally to demand (something) as indispensable; to need, to call for as necessary.
- A weapon small enough to put on a missile would require uranium enriched to more than 90% U-235.
- Chronic pain is occasionally a sign of a very serious problem, like brain tumors, and can require surgery.
3.To demand (of someone) to do something.
- It is required (of me) that I give evidence in court.
- After Aug 3 all salesgirls will be required to wear only one style of skirt while on duty: the midi.
- The government would like to require non-British fiances who wish to marry a British citizen to sit an English test.
Frequency
Overall
Very common· #457
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Very common
- Academic
- Common
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
From Old French requerre (whence Modern French requérir)
From Latin requīrō (“to require, seek, ask for”, literally “to seek back”)
From re- (“back; again”) + quaerō (“to seek”, whence query).