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

While the internals aren't dazzling, the 14th-generation Intel i5 processor is more than speedy enough to tackle standard productivity tasks, Web browsing and media streaming. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 11 Feb. 2025

Even before Trump’s tariffs, the online mega store had been exploring options for speedy delivery, including expanding its marketplace to U.S.-based sellers. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025

The speedy forward created a flurry of opportunities, including shots on goal in the eighth and 18th minutes. —Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Jeff Fowler, 110 minutes Widely considered the best of the three films based on the speedy blue guy from video-game history, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was another hit for Paramount, headed on its way to over half a billion dollars worldwide. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025

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