# hastily

/ˈheɪstəɫi/ (US) · /hˈeɪstɪli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hastily
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

with great speed or in a hurry. You often use this when someone does something too fast without thinking carefully first.

For teachers: with excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly. Often implies a lack of deliberation or care.

## Examples

- He hastily packed his bags and left.
- The report was hastily written on the train, resulting in several embarrassing spelling mistakes.
- Realizing the deadline had already passed, the committee hastily drafted a response to appease the angry shareholders before the market opened.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He did it hasty." but "He did it hastily." — Learners often use the adjective 'hasty' where the adverbial form 'hastily' is required to modify a verb.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the main verb or at the end of the clause.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.