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

• blistering
• breakneck
• breathless
• brisk
• dizzy
• fast
• fleet
• fleet-footed
• flying
• galloping
• hasty
• hot
• lightning
• nippy
• quick
• rapid
• rapid-fire
• rattling
• snappy
• splitting
• swift
• whirlwind
• zippy

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

The speedy deep-ball threat will look to make an impression in the Chiefs offense after an underwhelming campaign with the Arizona Cardinals in which Brown posted a career-low 41-yard average in 14 games. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

The Yankees traded dependable left-handed starter Nestor Cortes and speedy minor-league second baseman Caleb Durbin to acquire the right-handed Williams, who has been among MLB’s elite bullpen arms for the past half-decade. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024

In order to convince the recent Oscar nominee to be composer, the first thing the director sent Wyatt were some stills, with an invitation to pop by its speedy 18 day shoot in Las Vegas. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 13 Dec. 2024

Launched barely two weeks ago, the operation's speedy success in achieving its initial goal - seizing Syria's second city, Aleppo - took almost everybody by surprise. —Jonathan Spicer and Maya Gebeily, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

speedy

adjective

ˈspēd-ē 

speedier; speediest

: moving or taking place fast

speedily

ˈspēd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

speediness

ˈspēd-ē-nəs 

noun