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

Derived Forms

• urgency, noun
• ˈurgently, adverb

Other Words From

• ur·gent·ly adverb
• non·ur·gent adjective
• su·per·ur·gent adjective
• un·ur·gent adjective

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

We have reported on India’s Supreme Court ordering the government to take urgent steps to curb pollution every year.

From BBC

There is an urgent need for more direct donations to locally led organizations to ensure funds reach the front lines as quickly as possible.

From Salon

This includes waits for gynaecology appointments and planned procedures and excludes urgent appointments for things like suspected cancer.

From BBC

Reforming the social care system in England is "urgent", cabinet minister Louise Haigh has said, after sources told the BBC there was a "genuine impasse" at the top of government over the issue.

From BBC

And Dr Goodall says taking action to slow down the warming of our planet is more urgent than ever.

From BBC

Related Words

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