First Known Use: 1592
Dictionary
1hurry
verb hur·ry \ˈhər-ē, ˈhə-rē\
: to move, act, or go quickly
: to make (someone) move, act, or go quickly
: to carry or send (someone or something) more quickly than usual
hur·riedhur·ry·ing
Full Definition of HURRY
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
2
intransitive verb
: to move or act with haste <please hurry up>
— hur·ri·er noun
See hurry defined for English-language learners
See hurry defined for kids
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Origin of HURRY
perhaps from Middle English horyen
Related to HURRY
- Synonyms
- accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hasten, quicken, rush, speed (up), whisk
- Antonyms
- brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)
2hurry
noun
: a need to do something more quickly than usual
Full Definition of HURRY
1
: disturbed or disorderly activity : commotion
2
a : agitated and often bustling or disorderly haste b : a state of eagerness or urgency : rush
— in a hurry
: without delay : as rapidly as possible <the police got there in a hurry>
See hurry defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HURRY
1600
Related to HURRY
- Synonyms
- haste, hastiness, hustle, precipitation, precipitousness, rush
- Antonyms
- deliberateness, deliberation
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
HURRY Defined for Kids
1hurry
verb hur·ry \ˈhər-ē\
hur·riedhur·ry·ing
Definition of HURRY for Kids
1
: to carry or cause to go with haste <She is not someone who can be hurried.>
2
: to move or act with haste <She hurried off to school.>
3
: to speed up <Mechanics hurried the repair job.>
2hurry
noun
Definition of HURRY for Kids
: a need to act or move more quickly than usual : rush
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