hurry

[hur-ee, huhr-ee]

verb (used without object)

hurried, hurrying 

1. to move, proceed, or act with haste (often followed byup ).

   Hurry, or we'll be late. Hurry up, it's starting to rain.

verb (used with object)

hurried, hurrying 

1. to drive, carry, or cause to move or perform with speed.

   Synonyms: hasten

2. to hasten; urge forward (often followed byup ).

   Synonyms: hustle, expedite, quicken, accelerate
   Antonyms: slow, delay

3. to impel or perform with undue haste.

   to hurry someone into a decision.

noun

plural

hurries 

1. a state of urgency or eagerness.

   to be in a hurry to meet a train.

2. hurried movement or action; haste.

   Synonyms: ado, bustle, quickness, speed, dispatch, expedition, celerity
   Antonyms: deliberation

hurry

/ ˈhʌrɪ /

verb

1. to hasten (to do something); rush

2. to speed up the completion, progress, etc, of

noun

1. haste

2. urgency or eagerness

3. informal

   1. easily

      you won't beat him in a hurry

   2. willingly

      we won't go there again in a hurry

Other Word Forms

• hurryingly adverb
• overhurry verb
• unhurrying adjective
• unhurryingly adverb
• hurrying noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurry¹

First recorded in 1580–90; expressive word of uncertain origin, compare Middle English horyed (attested once) “rushed, impelled,” Middle High German hurren “to move quickly”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurry¹

C16 horyen, probably of imitative origin; compare Middle High German hurren; see _scurry

Synonym Study

See rush ¹.

Example Sentences

On Sunday, I asked Dodgers manager Dave Roberts whether Kershaw was here only in case a starter exited in a hurry or a game went into extra innings.

From Los Angeles Times

When he finally ambled off, Goodall hurried over for a closer look.

From Los Angeles Times

I wasn’t used to that anyways, that whole movie thing where you hurry up and wait.

From Los Angeles Times

Nicholas Moss KC, counsel to the inquiry, said in his statement to police Mr Poland described seeing "a massed huddle of children stumble and run in a panicked hurry".

From BBC

Snell had other ideas, signaling Roberts to hurry to the mound in the middle of his walk before seemingly pleading his case to stay in.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dash 
• hasten 
• hustle 
• jog 
• rush 
• scoot 
• scurry 
• whirl 
• whisk 
• zip