Etymologically
Log in

urge

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 14:35. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɝd͡ʒ/; /ɜːd͡ʒ/ (UK)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin urgēre (“to press hard, push forward, drive, compel”),[2][3][4][5] borrowed under the influence of the earlier English urgent.[3] De Vaan derives the Latin verb perhaps from a PIE *uerǵʰ-, to tie, bind, via the notion of weighing down on,[2] the root also of Lithuanian veržti, to squeeze, and Old English wrecan, to drive (see wreak).[2][3][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

To press, impel, force onward: about 1555 in MWU, 1560 in Barnhart and the OED, the 1550s in Etymonline.[5][3][6][2]

Semantic evolution

To press a point on someone's attention is from 1560,[6] to entreat or plead with someone from 1568 (the 1560s),[6][2] and to advocate a course earnestly from 1595.[6] The noun, an impelling force or impulse, is from before 1618 (the 1610s);[3][2][6] the Century Dictionary (1902) marked it rare, and the OED found it in frequent use only from about 1910.[2] In dialect from Cheshire to Kent urge meant to shove or push.[7]

Timeline

  • c. 1555 – to press onward.[5]
  • 1560 – to press upon attention.[6]
  • 1568 – to entreat.[6]
  • 1595 – to advocate.[6]
  • before 1618 – the noun.[3]
  • c. 1910 – the noun in frequent use.[2]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To try earnestly to persuade; to plead with or exhort.
  2. To recommend or insist on earnestly: to urge caution.
  3. To drive or force onward.

Noun

  1. A strong impulse or desire to do something.

Word family

  • urger
  • urgingly
  • overurge

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  4. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)