rush
ruhsh
Rush (verb) means to hurry or do something very quickly, sometimes carelessly. Example: “She rushed through breakfast to catch the early train.”
verb
1
To hurry or do something very quickly, sometimes carelessly.
"She rushed through breakfast to catch the early train."
"Don't rush the report — take the time to check it properly."
"The children rushed down the stairs when they heard the ice cream van."
noun
1
A sudden burst of activity, movement, or feeling.
"There was a rush of shoppers as the doors opened for the sale."
"She felt a rush of excitement when she got the acceptance letter."
"A sudden rush of cold air came through the door when it opened."
2
A tall, grass-like marsh plant with hollow stems, used for weaving mats and baskets.
"The riverbank was thick with rushes swaying in the wind."
"The basket was woven from dried rushes collected near the lake."
"Frogs hid among the tall green rushes at the edge of the pond."
How to use rush
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hurry, or a sudden surge of activity or feeling; also, a name for a marsh plant, an unrelated sense from a different word history.
Common pairings
rush hour
a rush of adrenaline
in a rush
rush to judgment
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Word forms
- Plural
- rushes
- Third person singular
- rushes
- Past tense
- rushed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ through breakfast to catch the early train.
Etymology
Likely from Middle English ruschen ("to make a rushing noise"), from Old English hrysċan, related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning "fast, quick."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for rush
See all rhymes for rush →Frequently asked questions
What does “rush” mean?
The word “rush” means to hurry or do something very quickly, sometimes carelessly. In plain terms, to hurry, or a sudden surge of activity or feeling; also, a name for a marsh plant, an unrelated sense from a different word history.
How do you pronounce “rush”?
“Rush” is pronounced ruhsh (/ɹʌʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rush” in a sentence?
Here is “rush” used in a sentence: “She rushed through breakfast to catch the early train.”
What is another word for “rush”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rush” include fly, scramble, get a move on, hasten, haul and hurtle.
What part of speech is “rush”?
Depending on how it is used, “rush” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “rush” come from?
The word “rush” comes from Old English. Likely from Middle English ruschen ("to make a rushing noise"), from Old English hrysċan, related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning "fast, quick.".
Is “rush” a common word?
“Rush” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “rush” have?
“Rush” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hurry or do something very quickly, sometimes carelessly.
What is the difference between rush and hurry?
Both mean to move or act quickly, and they are often interchangeable. Rush suggests greater urgency and speed, and can hint at carelessness or being swept along. Hurry is a little gentler and more neutral. You might hurry to catch a bus, but rush a job and make mistakes.
Does rushing mean being careless?
Not always, but the word often carries that warning. Rushing simply means doing something very fast, yet because haste can cause slips, "rushing" frequently implies too little care or thought. "Don't rush it" usually means slow down and do it properly, so the term leans mildly negative.
What is an example of rush as a verb?
"We had to rush to finish before the deadline" shows acting at speed under pressure. "Don't rush me" asks someone to stop hurrying you along. "Paramedics rushed him to hospital" stresses urgent speed. In each case, rush marks fast action, sometimes with a sense of pressure.
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