A1 noun Neutral #3,989 most common

emergency

/ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/

An emergency is a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation that requires immediate action or help. It is often used to describe medical crises, accidents, or sudden problems that cannot wait.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I had a medical emergency and had to go to the hospital immediately.

I had a medical emergency and had to go to the hospital immediately.

2

The government has officially declared a state of emergency due to the flood.

The government has officially declared a state of emergency due to the flood.

3

Sorry for the late call, but I have a bit of an emergency at home.

Sorry for the late call, but I have a bit of an emergency at home.

Word Family

Noun
emergency
Adverb
emergently
Adjective
emergent
Related
emergence
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'Emerge'. An emergency 'emerges' (pops up) suddenly when you don't expect it and needs your attention right now!

Quick Quiz

Please stay calm and use the ________ exit at the back of the building.

Correct!

The correct answer is: emergency

Examples

1

I had a medical emergency and had to go to the hospital immediately.

everyday

I had a medical emergency and had to go to the hospital immediately.

2

The government has officially declared a state of emergency due to the flood.

formal

The government has officially declared a state of emergency due to the flood.

3

Sorry for the late call, but I have a bit of an emergency at home.

informal

Sorry for the late call, but I have a bit of an emergency at home.

4

The research paper analyzes hospital response times during a public health emergency.

academic

The research paper analyzes hospital response times during a public health emergency.

5

Our team needs to hold an emergency meeting to address the server failure.

business

Our team needs to hold an emergency meeting to address the server failure.

Word Family

Noun
emergency
Adverb
emergently
Adjective
emergent
Related
emergence

Common Collocations

medical emergency medical emergency
emergency room emergency room
emergency exit emergency exit
emergency services emergency services
state of emergency state of emergency

Common Phrases

In case of emergency

In case of emergency

Emergency contact

Emergency contact

Emergency landing

Emergency landing

Often Confused With

emergency vs urgency

Urgency refers to something that needs speed, but an emergency implies actual danger or a crisis.

emergency vs emergence

Emergence is the process of coming into view or becoming known, not a crisis.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is frequently used as an adjective before other nouns like 'exit', 'brake', or 'room'. It almost always implies that time is the most critical factor.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget the article; they might say 'It is emergency' instead of 'It is an emergency.'

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'Emerge'. An emergency 'emerges' (pops up) suddenly when you don't expect it and needs your attention right now!

📖

Word Origin

From the Medieval Latin 'emergentia', meaning an unforeseen occurrence or something that rises up suddenly.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: plural is 'emergencies'. Often used as an attributive noun (acting like an adjective).
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking countries, the number 911 (USA/Canada) or 999 (UK) is specifically called the 'emergency number'.

Quick Quiz

Please stay calm and use the ________ exit at the back of the building.

Correct!

The correct answer is: emergency

More Health words

head

A1

The upper part of the human body that contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It is supported by the neck and is the center for the senses and thinking.

ear

A1

The ear is the organ on the side of the head that humans and animals use to hear sounds. It also helps the body maintain its sense of balance.

mouth

A1

The opening in the lower part of the human face, surrounded by the lips, through which food is taken in and sounds and speech are emitted. It contains the teeth and the tongue and is the beginning of the digestive tract.

tooth

A1

A tooth is one of the hard, white objects in your mouth used for biting and chewing food. Humans have two sets of teeth during their lives: primary (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth.

shoulder

A1

The shoulder is the part of the human body where the arm connects to the trunk. It consists of a large joint that allows the arm to rotate and move in many directions.

finger

A1

One of the five long, thin parts at the end of the human hand. Fingers are used for feeling, touching, and gripping objects.

stomach

A1

The organ in your body where food goes after you eat it to be broken down. It is also the front part of your body below the chest and above the legs.

leg

A1

A leg is one of the long parts of the body that humans and animals use for standing, walking, and running. It refers to the entire limb starting from the hip down to the ankle.

foot

A1

The foot is the part of the body at the bottom of the leg that a person stands on. It is used for balance, walking, running, and jumping.

toe

A1

A toe is one of the five separate parts at the end of the human foot. They help provide balance and support the weight of the body while standing or walking.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free