speedy

adjective

ˈspē-dē 

speedier; speediest

: marked by swiftness of motion or action

also : prompt sense 2

speedily

ˈspē-də-lē 

adverb

speediness

ˈspē-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of speedy

• rapid
• quick
• fast
• brisk
• swift
• galloping

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

Boston got on the board first in the top of the third when speedy outfielder Braiden Ward chopped a ball to the right side of the infield and reached first safely while Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies’ fielder’s choice throw home wasn’t in time to prevent Vinnie Capra from scoring. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026

Åberg, a 26-year-old rising star who lives in the area and calls TPC Sawgrass his home course, is looking for the biggest win of his career after a speedy rise up the ranks. —Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2026

Demand for copper is rising amid a boom in AI data centers, which rely on the industrial metal for speedy, high-efficiency power distribution, El-Shawarby said. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026

The network announced a speedy renewal for Marshals on Thursday, 12 days after its series debut. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing speedy

• speedy recovery

Rhymes for speedy

• beady
• greedy
• guidi
• needy
• reedy
• seedy
• tweedy
• weedy
• unready

Kids Definition

speedy

adjective

ˈspēd-ē 

speedier; speediest

: moving or taking place fast

speedily

ˈspēd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

speediness

ˈspēd-ē-nəs 

noun