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

Denver Broncos - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas Another huge riser in the draft prospect rankings goes right after in Golden, a speedy receiver out of Texas. —Seth Quinn, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

The White House is trying to have it every way possible in a high-stakes dispute over its speedy deportation of hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025

Vallow Daybell never gave up her right to a speedy trial, which is supposed to guarantee a defendant’s trial starts six months after the arraignment. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Mar. 2025

Seattle now needs another speedy receiver to replace Metcalf’s ability to threaten the defense deep, which often created opportunities for teammates to make plays. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 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

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