need not

== English == === Verb === need not (third-person singular simple present need not, no present participle, simple past needed not, no past participle) (chiefly UK, auxiliary) Indicating absence of necessity; do(es) not have to, do(es) not need to. (auxiliary, dated) Indicating inadvisability; ought not to. ==== Usage notes ==== In one sense used to show that something is not necessary, indicating non-obligation or non-inevitability. In another sense used to indicate that something should not be done because it is futile. Can be used in either sense without inflectional change for singular and plural subjects alike. ==== Synonyms ==== not have to needn't === Anagrams === Edenton, endnote, tenoned