urge
urj
Urge (noun) means a strong impulse or desire to do something. Example: “Whenever I walk past the bakery, I feel an urge to buy a bun.”
noun
1
A strong impulse or desire to do something.
"Whenever I walk past the bakery, I feel an urge to buy a bun."
"She had to resist the urge to laugh during the ceremony."
"He felt a sudden urge to quit his job and travel."
verb
1
To strongly encourage or push someone to do something.
"The coach urged the players to keep passing the ball quickly."
"Doctors are urging people to get vaccinated before winter."
"Her friends urged her to apply for the promotion."
How to use urge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a noun, a strong inner desire; as a verb, pushing someone hard to do something.
Common pairings
fight the urge
urge someone to do something
a sudden urge
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Word forms
- Plural
- urges
- Third person singular
- urges
- Past tense
- urged
- Archaic forms
- urgest, urgedst, urgeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Whenever I walk past the bakery, I feel an _____ to buy a bun.
Etymology
From Latin urgēre, "to press or push," the same root behind "urgent."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for urge
See all rhymes for urge →Frequently asked questions
What does “urge” mean?
The word “urge” means a strong impulse or desire to do something. In plain terms, as a noun, a strong inner desire; as a verb, pushing someone hard to do something.
How do you pronounce “urge”?
“Urge” is pronounced urj (/ɝd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “urge” in a sentence?
Here is “urge” used in a sentence: “She had to resist the urge to laugh during the ceremony.”
What part of speech is “urge”?
Depending on how it is used, “urge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “urge” come from?
The word “urge” comes from Latin. From Latin urgēre, "to press or push," the same root behind "urgent.".
Is “urge” a common word?
“Urge” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “urge” have?
“Urge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong impulse or desire to do something.
What is the difference between 'urge' and 'encourage'?
To 'urge' someone is to press or push them strongly and insistently to do something. To 'encourage' is gentler, offering support or confidence rather than pressure. Urging therefore carries more urgency and force than encouraging.
What is the difference between an 'urge' and an 'impulse'?
An 'urge' is a strong desire to do something that can build up and persist over time. An 'impulse' is usually more sudden and acted on quickly with little thought. Every impulse is a kind of urge, but urges can be felt gradually and resisted.
What preposition is used after 'urge'?
As a verb, 'urge' is usually followed by 'to' plus another verb, as in 'they urged him to leave'. You can also 'urge someone on' to spur them forward, or 'urge caution' by strongly recommending it.
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