What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Wherewithal vs Needful - What's the difference?

wherewithal | needful |

As nouns the difference between wherewithal and needful

is that wherewithal is the ability and means required to accomplish some task while needful is anything necessary or requisite.

As a adverb wherewithal

is (archaic) in what way; how.

As a adjective needful is

needed; necessary; mandatory; requisite; indispensible.

wherewithal

English

Noun

  • The ability and means required to accomplish some task.
  • * I would like to help your project, but I do not have the wherewithal .
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=December 15 , author=Felicity Cloake , title=How to cook the perfect nut roast , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=Christmas queen Mary Berry's aubergine five-nut roast, from her Christmas Collection, is, as the name suggests, rather more focused on the nut side of things. Breadcrumbs play second fiddle to a medley of almonds, Brazils, chestnuts, pine nuts and pistachios which, although tangy with lemon juice and garlic, is outrageously dense. A single slice of this could leave you supine in front of the Queen's speech without even the wherewithal to reach for the remote control.}}
  • * 1986 , , Penguin, paperback edition, page 67:
  • "I just can't imagine," Philip said, "having that kind of self-knowledge, that kind of...wherewithal at fifteen.[...]"

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (archaic) In what way; how.
  • * 1662 , , Psalm 119:9,
  • Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

    needful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Needed; necessary; mandatory; requisite; indispensible.
  • * 1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 5
  • So I went to keep house with him at the Why Not? and my aunt sent down my bag of clothes, and would have made over to Elzevir the pittance that my father left for my keep, but he said it was not needful , and he would have none of it.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Anything necessary or requisite.
  • Ready money; wherewithal.
  • Usage notes

    (Do the needful) Commonly found in phrases such as "do the needful" or "please do the needful"; which occur commonly in Indian English but are held as archaic in other dialects; nonetheless being heard more and more by speakers of said dialects in their interactions with speakers of Indian English. This has to some extent lead to these phrases being seen as stereotypical of Indian English and used in a parodying context by speakers of other dialects, some of whom may find their usage odd and/or pretentious.

    Derived terms

    * do the needful