exigency
C1/C2Formal, Professional, Literary
Definition
Meaning
A situation of urgent need or demand that requires immediate action.
A pressing or critical circumstance, often of an emergency nature; the quality of requiring much effort or immediate attention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in plural form 'exigencies' to refer to the pressing demands or requirements of a difficult situation. Implies a sense of urgency combined with constraint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. Slightly more common in British formal/academic writing.
Connotations
Equally formal and urgent in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions; primarily found in formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
In/under the exigency of [noun]Respond to the exigencyMeet the exigencyDue to exigencyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Exigencies of the moment”
- “The exigencies of war/business”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to urgent financial or operational pressures, e.g., 'budgetary exigencies'.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and ethics to discuss pressing needs or moral imperatives.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might be used in news reports about crises.
Technical
In legal contexts: 'exigent circumstances' (allowing warrantless action); in medicine: critical patient needs.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The situation exigences immediate action. (rare, archaic)
American English
- (No common verb form in modern use)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form)
American English
- (No standard adverb form)
adjective
British English
- The exigent circumstances permitted a rapid response.
American English
- Exigent factors forced a change in policy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The flood created an exigency for food and shelter.
- The manager had to deal with the exigencies of a shrinking budget.
- Political exigencies often override long-term strategic planning in democracies.
- The exigency of the patient's condition justified the surgeon's immediate intervention.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EXIt in an emergENCY' – an exigency demands you find an exit/solution immediately.
Conceptual Metaphor
URGENCY IS PRESSURE / A DEMANDING TASKMASTER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'экстренность' (emergency) – exigency шире, включает 'настоятельную необходимость'.
- Не переводить как 'требование' (demand) без контекста срочности.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronunciation: /ɪɡˈzɪdʒənsi/ (incorrect), correct is /ˈeksɪdʒənsi/.
- Using as a countable noun only in singular (more common in plural: 'exigencies').
- Confusing with 'emergency' (exigency is often the *cause* of the urgent need).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'exigency' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An 'emergency' is a sudden, dangerous event. An 'exigency' is an urgent *need* or demand arising from a situation (which may be an emergency).
It would sound very formal. In most casual contexts, 'urgent need', 'crisis', or 'pressure' are more natural choices.
It is used, but is even more formal and less common than the noun, except in fixed phrases like 'exigent circumstances' (legal term).
Because a pressing situation often involves multiple interconnected urgent demands or requirements, hence the plural captures this complexity.
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