speedy

adjective

ˈspē-dē

speedier; speediest

Synonyms of speedy next

: marked by swiftness of motion or action

also : prompt sense 2

speedily

ˈspē-də-lē

adverb

speediness

ˈspē-dē-nəs

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for speedy

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 speedy in a Sentence

They wished her a speedy recovery. a speedy worker but not a very careful one, unfortunately

Recent Examples on the Web Charges were dropped against Marcy Oglesby, 51, in March after the trial judge sided with her defense team's argument that Oglesby was deprived of her right to a speedy trial. —

Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023 Without that ability, scientists wondered how hummingbirds squeeze through such tiny gaps—but the speedy fliers move too quickly for the human eye to follow. —

Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023 Records show the speedy buyer is David Malm, managing partner of Webster Equity Partners, who paid $23.9 million for the 20-acre estate resting in the coastal enclave of Martha’s Vineyard. —

Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2023 This product is gentle despite a slew of PHA and AHA acids that aid in speedier skin cell turnover and balanced roots. —

Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 9 Nov. 2023 Reacher was one of Prime Video’s biggest shows in 2022, scoring the streamer’s best opening week ever in Nielsen’s streaming rankings and earning a speedy renewal. —

Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2023 With Poway concentrating its pass coverage on speedy wide receiver Jase Nix, Makihele turned to junior Brady Pohl, who caught five first-half passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. —

Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023 Proponents, which include some environmental groups, politicians and a nursing union, say wresting control from the for-profit companies will eventually lead to lower bills, better customer service and a speedier shift to renewable power. —

Jon Kamp, WSJ, 4 Nov. 2023 The jury reached its verdict in just five hours–speedy for a white-collar crime case–almost exactly one year after a scoop from crypto outlet Coindesk triggered the exchange’s collapse. —

Alan Murray, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'speedy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spedi "beneficial, unencumbered, agile, prompt," from sped "luck, success, assistance, rate of progress" + -i -y entry 1 — more at speed entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of speedy was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century