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adj B1 Intermediate Uncommon

hasty

HAYS-tee

Hasty (adj) means Done too quickly, without enough thought or care. Example: “It was a hasty decision that he later regretted.”

adj
1
Done too quickly, without enough thought or care.
"It was a hasty decision that he later regretted."
"Don't be so hasty — let's think this through."
2
Quick-tempered; easily provoked.
"He's a hasty man who says things he doesn't mean."

How to use hasty

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRushed — either a rushed action taken without proper thought, or a person quick to react or lose their temper.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "hasty" meaning simply "fast" in a neutral sense — it almost always implies a lack of care or patience.

Common pairings
hasty retreat hasty decision hasty exit

Word forms

hastier comparative, Hastys plural, hastiest superlative

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It was a _____ decision that he later regretted.

Etymology

From Middle English hasty, formed from "haste" plus "-y," mirrored by similar words in other Germanic languages.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for hasty

See all rhymes for hasty →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hasty” mean?

The word “hasty” means done too quickly, without enough thought or care. In plain terms, rushed — either a rushed action taken without proper thought, or a person quick to react or lose their temper.

How do you pronounce “hasty”?

“Hasty” is pronounced HAYS-tee (/ˈheɪsti/ in IPA).

How do you use “hasty” in a sentence?

Here is “hasty” used in a sentence: “It was a hasty decision that he later regretted.”

What part of speech is “hasty”?

“Hasty” is an adjective.

Where does the word “hasty” come from?

The word “hasty” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hasty, formed from "haste" plus "-y," mirrored by similar words in other Germanic languages.

Is “hasty” a common word?

“Hasty” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “hasty” have?

“Hasty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: done too quickly, without enough thought or care.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial