Hurriedly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hurriedly

[ˈhɜːrɪdli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

in a rush

Done or acting with excessive speed or urgency; rushed.

Synonyms

hastily, promptly, quickly, rapidly, speedily, swiftly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hurriedly

Used when someone is rushing and possibly making mistakes or not paying attention to details due to lack of time.

  • She hurriedly packed her bag and ran out the door.
  • He wrote his notes hurriedly, trying to keep up with the lecture.
quickly

Most generally used to indicate something done in a short amount of time, without particular connotations about quality or urgency.

  • He quickly finished his homework.
  • She learned to play the piano quickly.
swiftly

Implies smoothness and grace in the rapid action, often used in literature and storytelling.

  • The knight swiftly drew his sword.
  • She moved swiftly across the dance floor.
rapidly

Used to describe something that happens at a fast rate, often referring to processes or changes.

  • Technology is rapidly advancing.
  • Her health rapidly improved.
speedily

Similar to 'quickly' but often used in more formal contexts, emphasizes efficiency and swiftness.

  • The package was delivered speedily.
  • The legal process moved speedily.
hastily

Indicates a sense of urgency and often implies that something was done without careful thought or consideration.

  • He hastily agreed without reading the contract.
  • They made a hasty decision to leave.
promptly

Suggests someone is quick and punctual, doing something immediately and efficiently, often in response to a request or requirement.

  • The doctor will see you promptly at 10 AM.
  • She replied to the email promptly.

Examples of usage

  • She hurriedly packed her bags and ran to catch the train.
  • He hurriedly finished his homework before the deadline.
  • They hurriedly left the building when the fire alarm went off.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that when people act hurriedly, they often make more mistakes, which can lead to feelings of stress.
  • A hurried mindset can reduce attention span, leading to oversights in both work and personal life.
  • The rush in busy life environments can trigger anxiety; being mindful can help counteract the urge to hurry.

Literature

  • In classic literature, characters often make hasty decisions when hurried, leading to significant plot twists.
  • Authors use the term to create tension, making readers feel the urgency of a situation.
  • In modern literature, rushed dialogue can reflect a character’s anxiety or excitement, showing the weight of their experiences.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often portray hurried actions to build suspense, like in thrillers where characters must act quickly to escape danger.
  • Popular songs sometimes mention being in a hurry, encapsulating feelings of modern life stress and fast-paced living.
  • In animated shows, characters that rush often get into comical trouble, highlighting the absurdity of acting without thinking.

Everyday Life

  • In today’s fast-paced world, people often find themselves moving hurriedly through daily routines, from commuting to work to completing chores.
  • Being hurried can impact health; experts often suggest scheduling breaks to avoid burnout from constant rush.
  • Many cultures value efficiency, leading to a societal tendency to move hurriedly—tied to concepts of productivity.

Origin of 'hurriedly'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'hurriedly' comes from the verb 'hurry', which traces back to Middle English and means to become anxious or to act quickly.
  • The suffix '-ly' indicates that it's describing how something is done, turning 'hurry' into 'hurriedly', meaning 'in a hurried manner'.
  • In older forms of English, similar words like 'hurry' had variations that meant to urge or to push forward.

The adverb 'hurriedly' is derived from the verb 'hurry', which has roots in Middle English and Old French. The word 'hurry' originally meant 'to rush' or 'to hasten'. Over time, the adverb 'hurriedly' evolved to describe actions done with excessive speed or urgency.


See also: hurried, hurry, hurrying, unhurried.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,501, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.