hurry
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈʌri/
US
- /ˈhɜri/
Description
- rush
- hasten
- move quickly
We all hurry sometimes: to catch a bus, finish a task before the deadline, or get ready when we're late. To hurry means to move or do something quickly, usually because there is not much time. You can also hurry someone along, meaning you want them to be quicker, or hurry into something, meaning you do it too fast without enough thought. When someone says they are "in a hurry," they mean they need to go fast because time is short.
The word hurry is used when someone moves or acts quickly because there is little time or because something feels urgent. It can describe both the action itself and the feeling behind it. For example, "She hurried to the hospital when she heard about the accident," or "He hurried through his homework so he could go out with friends."
As a verb, hurry means to go faster than usual. It often suggests pressure, stress, or a need to avoid being late. You do not just walk fast; you hurry when there is a reason to save time. You can also hurry another person by saying, "Hurry up!"
The word also appears in common phrases. If you are "in a hurry," you need to leave, finish, or decide quickly. If someone says, "Don't hurry into a decision," they mean you should slow down and think carefully before you act. You can also say, "There is no hurry," which means there is no need to rush.
So whether you are racing against the clock, telling someone to move faster, or trying not to be late, hurry gives the idea of quick action caused by time pressure.
Examples
- 1
Travel
We need to hurry or we'll miss the bus.
- 2
Urgent message
I hurried home when I got your message.
- 3
Morning routine
She was in a hurry, so she skipped breakfast.
- 4
Direct request
Can you hurry up? Everyone is waiting outside.
Phrase
hurry up
do something faster
- 5
Schoolwork
Don't hurry through your homework just to finish early.
Pattern
hurry through + task
do it too quickly
- 6
No urgency
There's no hurry to reply today.
- 7
Rushed writing
The whole report was written in a hurry, and it showed.
Phrase
in a hurry
quickly, often with less care than usual
- 8
Moving house
I'm in no hurry to move again after packing all those boxes.
Pattern
in no hurry to + verb
not wanting or not needing to do something soon
- 9
Questioning urgency
What's the hurry? The movie doesn't start until eight.
Phrase
What's the hurry?
why are you rushing?
- 10
Sales pressure
The salesman tried to hurry us into signing the contract.
Pattern
hurry someone into + action
push someone to do it too soon
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hurrynounverb
Forms
- hurriedpast tenseverbnoun
- hurrying-ing formverbnoun
- hurriesverbnoun