hurry

1 of 2

verb

hur·​ry ˈhər-ē 

ˈhə-rē

hurried; hurrying

transitive verb

1

a

: to carry or cause to go with haste

hurry them to the hospital

b

: to impel to rash or precipitate action

that hard-to-be-governed passion of youth hurried me frequently into intrigues with low women

—Benjamin Franklin

2

a

: to impel to greater speed : prod

used spurs to hurry the horse

b

: expedite

asked them to hurry dinner

c

: to perform with undue haste

hurry a minuet

intransitive verb

: to move or act with haste

please hurry up

hurrier noun

hurry

2 of 2

noun

1

: disturbed or disorderly activity : commotion

the incessant hurry and trivial activity of daily life … seem to prevent, or at least discourage, quiet and intense thinking

—C. W. Eliot

2

a

: agitated and often bustling or disorderly haste

b

: a state of eagerness or urgency : rush

was in a hurry to get home

Phrases

in a hurry

: without delay : as rapidly as possible

the police got there in a hurry

Synonyms

Verb

• accelerate
• bundle
• fast-track
• hasten
• quicken
• rush
• speed (up)
• whisk

Noun

• haste
• hastiness
• hustle
• precipitation
• precipitousness
• rush

Choose the Right Synonym for hurry

haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action.

haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

Examples of hurry in a Sentence

Verb

Take your time. There's no need to hurry.

She hurried off to her class.

We hurried through the lesson so that we could finish early.

The teacher hurried us through the lesson.

They hurried the children off to bed.

The quarterback was forced to hurry his throw.

Noun

In her hurry to leave she forgot her briefcase.

after all her hurry to get her report done on time, Elizabeth learned that it wasn't due till the following week

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

So hurry and snag one for yourself while the price is as low as $39. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2024

The consul general hurried to Oklahoma City to discuss the murders with representatives of the community and offer help to relatives of the victims, according to Chinese officials, a participant in a meeting and media reports and photos. —Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 22 Mar. 2024

Feliciano re-signed on a one-year deal, setting up a camp competition with Burford, whose assignment failure against Chris Jones forced Purdy to hurry his final Super Bowl throw — an incompletion in overtime. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

Ham hash is a deeply savory, meaty way to hurry guests out of bed for breakfast. —Emily Nabors Hall, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024

Julia Hunt continued to watch the news while the secretary of press, Karen Slake, the only cabinet-level official who maintained a West Wing office, hurried into Hendrickson’s office and stood beside his desk. —Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2024

But hurry because these deals aren't guaranteed to last much longer. —Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2024

When Embiid hurried over for the double team, Siakam was finding Turner alone for an open 3-pointer. —Gregg Doyel, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Jan. 2024

But hurry, because the offer expires at midnight March 1, and must be booked through the flyplay.com website. —Dan Koday, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024

Noun

And for those in a hurry, there's also a drive-thru experience. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024

Keep reading for some of the best Skechers deals at Walmart, but hurry, sizes are selling out quickly. —Lauren Fischer, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024

However, hurry because patterns are selling out fast. —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024

Beyond the defensive woes, Dickinson cooled off in a hurry, scoring 13 points in the first half but only finishing with 15 on 6-for-15 shooting. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024

This fast-drying option is great for anyone leading a busy, on-the-go lifestyle and wants (or needs) their hands to look polished in a hurry. —Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024

Read the full Capricorn Daily Horoscope Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) In a hurry? —USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024

Be sure to book far in advance as this spot fills up in a hurry. —Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2024

Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield and Kelly Oubre Jr. can get hot in a hurry. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

perhaps from Middle English horyen

First Known Use

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hurry

• hurry-up
• not in any/a hurry
• hurry up and wait
• in no hurry
• hurry-scurry
• hurry it up
• hurry-skurry
• in a hurry

Kids Definition

hurry

1 of 2 verb

hur·​ry ˈhər-ē 

ˈhə-rē

hurried; hurrying

1

a

: to carry or cause to go with haste

hurry the child to the hospital

b

: to move or act with haste

had to hurry to arrive in time

2

a

: to urge on to greater speed : prod

b

: to hasten the doing of

hurry a repair job

hurrier noun

hurry

2 of 2 noun

plural hurries

1

: great speed

especially : unnecessary haste

2

: a state of eagerness or urgency : rush