urgent

[ur-juhnt]

adjective

1. compelling or requiring immediate action or attention; dire; pressing.

   an urgent matter.

   Synonyms: desperate, imperative

2. insistent or earnest in solicitation; importunate, as a person.

   an urgent pleader.

3. expressed with insistence, as requests or appeals.

   an urgent tone of voice.

urgent

/ ˈɜːdʒənsɪ, ˈɜːdʒənt /

adjective

1. requiring or compelling speedy action or attention

   the matter is urgent

   an urgent message

2. earnest and persistent

Other Word Forms

• urgently adverb
• nonurgent adjective
• superurgent adjective
• unurgent adjective
• urgency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of urgent¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin urgent- (stem of urgēns ), present participle of urgēre “to press, force, drive”; urge, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of urgent¹

C15: via French from Latin urgent-, urgens, present participle of urgēre to _urge

Example Sentences

This incorrect information is shaping long-term health policy in the U.S. – which makes it urgent to correct the record.

From Salon

The Liberal Democrat authority's chief executive will be asked to chair a recovery board to try and find urgent savings, if the council is to avoid effectively declaring itself bankrupt.

From BBC

And now more than ever, "domestic competitiveness needs urgent strengthening through technology and quality upgradation funds" for exporters, he says.

From BBC

A statement on its website states it is showing solidarity while "the Israeli government is preventing urgent humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza".

From BBC

These texts usually come with a link you are told to click on to pay the fine and "use urgent and threatening language to make you panic", Stapleton says.

From BBC

Related Words

• compelling 
• critical 
• crucial 
• demanding 
• essential 
• immediate 
• imperative 
• important 
• indispensable 
• necessary 
• persuasive 
• pressing 
• serious 
• vital 
• weighty