skyndsam

Skyndsam is an adjective used in Swedish and Norwegian to describe something or someone that is prompt and expeditious, meaning quick to respond and willing to act swiftly. It can refer to a person, a service, or a decision that is swift and efficient, with emphasis on both speed and readiness to act.

Because of its formal nuance, skyndsam is more common in written or official language than in everyday speech. It may appear in administrative texts, legal prose, or literary contexts to convey praise for efficient handling or swift responses.

The term is derived from the verb skynda, meaning to hurry, and is related to other Germanic terms for speed. The suffix -sam forms adjectives indicating a characteristic, and cognates exist in related Scandinavian languages.

In contemporary usage, speakers often prefer synonyms such as snabb or snabbhet for everyday language, but skyndsam remains part of a more elevated register. It can convey a deliberate, methodical form of promptness rather than mere rapidity.

See also: snabb, rask, expeditiv, skynda, skyndsamt.