hurry

Hurry is a verb meaning to move or act with speed, usually in response to urgency or a deadline. It can also mean to urge someone to move more quickly, as in hurry up. As a noun, hurry refers to the state of being pressed for time or acting with urgency, for example, “There is no time to waste; we must move with some hurry.” The phrase in a hurry describes that condition, while to hurry can describe both the action and the feeling of urgency.

Usage notes include that hurry often signals urgency rather than a target speed, and it can be intentional or reactive. Rushing can increase the likelihood of mistakes or accidents, which gives the term a cautious nuance in some contexts. The verb hurry is regular in form: hurry, hurried, hurries, hurrying.

Common collocations with hurry include hurry up, hurry to, and a last-minute hurry. The noun can be modified by adjectives such as great, frenzied, or nervous. The related term haste overlaps in meaning but can carry a more formal or literary tone in some usages. In everyday language, hurry contrasts with terms like delay, slow down, or linger, reflecting different attitudes toward time management and safety.

Examples: She hurried across the street to catch the bus. There was a sense of hurry in the office as the deadline approached. In her haste, she forgot her keys. See also hasten, haste, rush, speed.