# rush

/ˈɹəʃ/ (US) · /ɹˈʌʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a sudden, strong feeling of excitement or energy. It can also mean a situation where you have to move or act very quickly because you are in a hurry.

For teachers: a sudden surge of intense physiological or emotional sensation; alternatively, a period of hurried activity or rapid movement. Often associated with the immediate effects of a stimulant or a high-pressure situation.

## Examples

- I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline during the race.
- There is always a huge rush of customers just before the shop closes for the weekend.
- The initial rush of success can be intoxicating, but it often masks the underlying structural challenges that a new business must eventually face to survive.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am in rush" but "I am in a rush" — When used to mean being in a hurry, the noun is countable and requires the indefinite article 'a'.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the singular with an indefinite article ('a rush') when describing a feeling or a busy period.

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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.