# require

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹɪˈkwaɪə/ · frequency rank #1,736

## Definitions
1. To demand, to insist upon (having); to call for authoritatively.
2. Naturally to demand (something) as indispensable; to need, to call for as necessary.
3. To demand (of someone) to do something.
4. To ask (someone) for something; to request.

## Etymology
From Old French requerre (French: requérir), from Latin requīrō (“I require, seek, ask for”).

## Easily confused with
- **retire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/require-vs-retire)
- **required** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/require-vs-required)
- **requires** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/require-vs-requires)
- **requiem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/requiem-vs-require)

## Common misspellings (9)
`erquire`, `reqiure`, `reqquire`, `requier`, `requirre`, `requrie`, `reuqire`, `rqeuire`, `rrequire`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/require