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
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The entire project took around five months—a speedy time frame thanks to Stone’s careful examination of what could be reworked versus what needed to be entirely redone.—Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 17 Sep. 2025 This makes the AirLight Pro more efficient (less heat is lost to the air), less damaging (not as much heat is needed to dry your hair), and seriously speedy.—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 Austin struggled against Miami’s speedy receivers, allowing six catches on seven targets for 97 yards and a touchdown, per Pro Football Focus.—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025 But Spirit coach Adrián Gonzaléz subbed on two speedy forwards moments after the red card, forcing the Current to respect that speed and direct ability to attack.—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speedy
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
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