# hasty

/ˈheɪsti/ (US) · /hˈeɪsti/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hasty
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

done or made too quickly, often without enough thought. You use this when someone rushes into a decision and might regret it later.

For teachers: characterised by excessive speed or insufficient consideration. Often used to describe decisions, conclusions, or actions taken without adequate preparation.

## Examples

- I made a hasty decision and now I regret it.
- The manager warned that a hasty retreat from the market could damage the company's long-term reputation.
- While the initial evidence seemed damning, the committee cautioned against a hasty judgment before all the forensic reports were finalized and cross-referenced.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He did a hasty work" but "He did some hasty work" — Hasty is an adjective, not a noun; it must modify a noun like 'work' or 'job' rather than acting as the object itself.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modifies nouns like 'decision', 'conclusion', 'retreat', or 'generalization'.

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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.