Urgent: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：needing immediate attention (urgent)

urgent 🔊

/ˈɜːrdʒənt/

adj.

Needing to be dealt with or attended to immediately; very important and time-sensitive.

Urgent situation illustrated by an anxious person checking a red notification on phone with a wall clock in background

needing immediate attention 🔊

➕

/ˈniːdɪŋ ɪˈmiːdiət əˈtɛnʃən/

adj.

Refers to situations or tasks that must be addressed promptly due to their high priority and time constraints.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'urgēre' (to press), implying a pressing need.

💡 Mnemonic

'Urgent' rhymes with 'emergent', both suggesting something that emerges and needs quick action.

📖 Example

The teacher received an urgent message from the school office and had to leave the classroom immediately. 🔊 The teacher was notified of a message that required immediate handling, so she had to depart the classroom at once.

🔗 Collocations

urgent need – a pressing requirement that must be met quickly

urgent matter – an issue that demands immediate resolution

urgent request – a plea or ask that cannot be delayed

🔄 Synonyms

pressing (adj.) – demanding immediate attention or action

critical (adj.) – of the utmost importance, often in a time-sensitive context

immediate (adj.) – requiring or happening without delay

🚫 Antonyms

non-urgent (adj.) – not requiring immediate attention

trivial (adj.) – of little importance or significance

insignificant (adj.) – lacking importance or urgency

🌱 Derivatives

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

urgently (adv.) – in a manner that shows or requires immediate action

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'urgēre' meaning 'to press', the term entered English to describe matters requiring immediate attention, commonly used in contexts like emergency services and business deadlines.