expeditious

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​pe·​di·​tious ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shəs 

: marked by or acting with prompt efficiency

expeditiously adverb

expeditiousness noun

expeditiousness

2 of 2

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​tious·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being expeditious

the boss was pleased with the expeditiousness with which the enterprise was completed

Did you know?

The Real Root of Expeditious

Expeditious has had quite the journey through the English language. It comes to us from the related noun expedition, which in turn comes from the Latin verb expedire (“to set free” or “to make ready”). When expedition first set forth in English in the 1400s, it did so with two meanings that are still in use today, “a journey especially by a group of people for a specific purpose” and “efficient promptness.” Expeditious later followed as an adjectival form of the latter. Something (such as, say, preparation for a long voyage) done expeditiously is done quickly and efficiently; in other words, it is expedited. Like expeditious and expedition, expedite too comes from expedire.

Synonyms of expeditious

Adjective

• quick
• swift
• immediate

Choose the Right Synonym for expeditious

fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity.

fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves

fast horses

and rapid to the movement itself.

rapid current

swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment

speedy delivery of mail

and may also suggest unusual velocity.

hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

Examples of expeditious in a Sentence

Adjective

a company that is well-regarded for its expeditious handling of any request or complaint

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What if that got replaced by a chauffeur, caviar, spa treatments and a more expeditious TSA service? — Miami Herald, 18 June 2026

The campaign officially launched in early May, but saw expeditious traction in early June. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026

The 1 million-square-foot structure, which the federal government built in 1940 near the National Mall, is one of more than 40 on Trump's list for expeditious sale. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

And with the proliferation of small presses and the ascendance of self publishing as viable, if less expeditious or prestigious strategies for writers, even the indifference of mainstream publishers is not always the final word. — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for expeditious

• supposititious
• adventitious
• cementitious
• inauspicious
• injudicious
• meretricious
• repetitious
• superstitious
• surreptitious
• unambitious
• unpropitious
• unsuspicious

Kids Definition

expeditious

adjective

ex·​pe·​di·​tious ˌek-spə-ˈdish-əs 

: marked by or acting with promptness

expeditious service

expeditiously adverb

expeditiousness noun