Basic need
The crossword clue "Basic need" is answered by STAPLE, a 6-letter entry. Used 11 times across 9 distinct years; most recently in 2025; first recorded in 2005. It appears in 3 publications in the xd corpus. Every figure on this page comes from the collection data itself, never from a guess.
The answer
STAPLE
6 letters. See every clue for this answer on the STAPLE answer page.
Used 11 times across 9 distinct years; most recently in 2025; first recorded in 2005. It appears in 3 publications in the xd corpus. Frequency and last-seen figures come from the xd crossword corpus only.
Other answers for this clue
The same clue has also been answered these ways in the xd corpus. Answers inside this collection link to their own answer page.
- DRINKINGWATER (1 uses in xd)
Other clues for STAPLE
Every other clue in this collection answered by STAPLE, most used first.
- Paper fastener - used 41 times, most recently in 2026
- Paper clip alternative - used 28 times, most recently in 2025
- Alternative to a paper clip - used 8 times, most recently in 2025
- Basic commodity - used 7 times, most recently in 2022
- Mainstay - used 7 times, most recently in 2025
- Basic food item - used 6 times, most recently in 2014
Related clues
Clues in this collection of the same answer length that share a word with this clue, or match its answer pattern when no word is shared. Most used first.
- "No need to explain" - IGETIT, used 29 times
- Basic beliefs - TENETS, used 15 times
- Need for water - THIRST, used 14 times
- Sneezer's need - TISSUE, used 13 times
- Starter's need - PISTOL, used 11 times
- Brewing need - TEAPOT, used 10 times
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