Emergency: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：urgent situation (emergency)

emergency 🔊

/ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/

A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation that needs quick action.

Emergency scene: person calling 911 for a home water leak, showing urgent action.

urgent situation 🔊

➕

/ˈɜːrdʒənt sɪˈtʃuːeɪʃən/

A serious and unexpected event that demands immediate action to prevent harm.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'emergere' (to arise), from e- (out) + mergere (to dip, sink).

💡 Mnemonic

Emer-GEN-cy: GEN for 'generate' action needed quickly.

📖 Example

When the car broke down on the highway at night, it became a real emergency because there was no help nearby. 🔊 When the car broke down on the highway at night, it became a real emergency because there was no help nearby.

🔗 Collocations

emergency exit – a designated way out for use in emergencies

emergency services – organizations that respond to emergencies, like police and ambulance

state of emergency – a situation declared by authorities during a crisis

🔄 Synonyms

crisis (n.) – a time of intense difficulty or danger

urgency (n.) – the state of requiring immediate action

disaster (n.) – a sudden event causing great damage or distress

🚫 Antonyms

normality (n.) – the state of being usual or expected

calm (n.) – a state of peace and quiet

🌱 Derivatives

emergent (adj.) – arising or occurring as a result of something

emergence (n.) – the process of coming into view or becoming exposed

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'emergens' (arising). In modern usage, it's central to contexts like emergency services (e.g., ER) and disaster management.