expeditiously
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɛkspədˈɪʃəsli/
US
- /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃəsli/
Description
- promptly
- without delay
- quickly and efficiently
Imagine a royal messenger carrying urgent news to the king. They would not simply walk - they would move expeditiously, meaning quickly, efficiently, and without unnecessary delay. The idea is not just speed, but steady action with a clear purpose.
"Expeditiously" is often used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, business reports, or official instructions. A lawyer might ask an assistant to gather evidence "expeditiously," meaning it should be done as soon as possible and in an efficient way. You would not usually tell a friend to clean their room "expeditiously," but you might read that a court expects a case to move forward that way. Think of it as getting something done fast and with little wasted time.
To act expeditiously means to do something in a swift, efficient, and purposeful way - moving toward a goal without unnecessary delay. It is more than just being fast; it also suggests that the action is organized and direct.
You might read that a government agency is working "expeditiously" to address a crisis, meaning it is acting quickly and pushing the work forward without wasting time. A company might promise to process your order "expeditiously," which means you should expect prompt handling. The word often appears when a task feels urgent, important, or both.
The word often suggests a deliberate effort to avoid slowdowns and keep things moving. A clerk may handle paperwork expeditiously so a customer does not have to wait too long. A response team may act expeditiously when every minute matters. In these cases, the focus is on speed with order, not on rushing carelessly.
While "quickly" is a simpler synonym, "expeditiously" sounds more formal and more official. It is the kind of word you see in workplace, legal, or government writing when someone wants action to happen promptly and efficiently. Think of it as getting something done with focused energy, clear purpose, and as little delay as possible.
Examples
- 1
Hospital care
The hospital staff worked expeditiously to find a bed for the patient.
- 2
Application processing
Please return the signed form expeditiously so we can process your application.
- 3
Legal process
The judge told both sides to handle the case expeditiously.
Usage
common in formal or legal English
- 4
Repair work
Once the team found the source of the leak, they moved expeditiously to fix it.
- 5
Project planning
We need to proceed expeditiously if we want the new system ready by June.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- expeditiouslyadverb