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adj Common

pressed

prehst
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Pressed (adj) means Under strain, especially from lack of time or money. Example: “Teachers are often pressed for time at the end of term, with so much marking.”

adj
1
Under strain, especially from lack of time or money.
"The staff was even more pressed for useful intelligence about the enemy's intentions than it was about the enemy's capabilities."
"Teachers are often pressed for time at the end of term, with so much marking."
"We're a bit pressed for time this morning."
"She was pressed for cash after the move."
"He found himself hard pressed."

How to use pressed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishShort on something, usually time or money, and feeling the strain of it.

Common pairings
pressed for time pressed for cash
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Word forms

Comparative
more pressed
Superlative
most pressed
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Teachers are often _____ for time at the end of term, with so much marking.

strapped stretched squeezed rushed short hurried

Related words

Rhymes for pressed

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Frequently asked questions

What does “pressed” mean?
The word “pressed” means under strain, especially from lack of time or money. In plain terms, short on something, usually time or money, and feeling the strain of it.
How do you pronounce “pressed”?
“Pressed” is pronounced prehst (/pɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “pressed” in a sentence?
Here is “pressed” used in a sentence: “We're a bit pressed for time this morning.”
What part of speech is “pressed”?
“Pressed” is an adjective.
Is “pressed” a common word?
“Pressed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'pressed' and 'stressed'?
Pressed describes being under strain from a specific shortage, most often of time or money. Stressed describes a broader state of mental or emotional tension, which can come from many sources, not just time or money.
What is the difference between being 'pressed for time' and 'pressed for money'?
Both use 'pressed' to mean under strain, but they name different shortages. Pressed for time means you are short of time, while pressed for money means you are short of funds.

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