urgently
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɜːdʒəntli/
US
- /ˈɜrdʒəntli/
Description
- immediately
- at once
- pressingly
- critically
- with haste
Imagine your little brother has glued his hand to his favorite toy. You'd need help urgently—meaning right away, without delay. "Urgently" describes something that needs attention now because the situation is serious or important. It gives a feeling of emergency.
You might urgently call for a doctor during a health crisis, or urgently ask an engineer to check a broken bridge before anyone gets hurt. The word often appears in requests, like "We urgently need volunteers!", to show that there is no time to waste. Think of it as more than just "quickly"; it means something is needed now because waiting could cause real problems.
"Urgently" is an adverb that describes how something needs to be done: immediately and without delay. It signifies a high degree of importance, necessity, or emergency. While "quickly" simply means at a fast pace, "urgently" implies there is a compelling reason why speed is crucial.
You might hear it in situations involving health: "The patient urgently needs blood." Or in crisis management: "Rescue teams are working urgently to find survivors." It is often used when making requests or giving warnings: "We urgently advise all travelers to check for travel advisories," or "Please respond to this email urgently."
"Urgently" isn't just about speed; it's about the possible consequences of not acting quickly. A simple request like, "Can you pass the salt?" does not need an urgent response. But a message like, "The building is on fire! Leave now!" calls for immediate action.
The word carries weight and emphasizes that time is of the essence. It is a call to prioritize something above all else because delay could lead to serious problems or missed opportunities. So when you see or hear "urgently," remember it is not just about how fast, but why speed matters so much.
Examples
- 1
Medical need
She needs surgery urgently.
- 2
Warning
He looked at me urgently and said, "Don't touch that wire."
- 3
Polite request
Please reply urgently if you won't be able to attend the meeting.
- 4
Public needs
The city urgently needs more affordable housing.
Usage
urgently needs
very common in formal English
- 5
Medical treatment
Doctors warned that the infection must be treated urgently.
- 6
School action
Parents are urging the school to act urgently on bullying.
- 7
Emergency aid
After the flood, the charity urgently appealed for food, blankets, and clean water.
Pattern
appeal for + help/supplies
publicly ask people to give them
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- urgentlyadverb