What does hasty mean?
Hasty describes something done with excessive speed, often without enough thought, preparation, or care. It commonly refers to decisions, judgments, conclusions, and actions: a hasty decision may overlook important evidence, while a hasty conclusion is reached before a situation has been fully examined. The word can also describe a person who moves or speaks too quickly for careful consideration. Its implication is not simply that something is prompt; it suggests that urgency has compromised the quality of thought or judgment. In British and American English, hasty generally carries a negative or cautionary connotation. A person may urge others not to be hasty when a serious decision requires patience and deliberation. The related noun haste means urgency or excessive speed, while the adverb hastily describes an action performed in a hurried manner.
adjectiveActing or done with excessive speed and without adequate thought, preparation, or care. It can also describe a premature decision or judgment made before the relevant issues have been properly considered.
- Done with excessive speed and without adequate thought, preparation, or care.
- Premature, especially referring to a decision or judgment made without sufficient consideration.
- Acting or speaking quickly and without deliberation.
"The manager made a hasty decision without consulting the rest of the team."
"The warning was issued after a hasty assessment of the situation."
"He gave a hasty explanation before checking the details."
Hasty is a reminder that reaching a destination quickly is not the same as reaching it wisely.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hasty come from?
Hasty is an English adjective recorded in the 16th century, formed from the noun haste with the suffix -y. Haste itself comes from Old English and belongs to a Germanic word family that includes related forms in Old Norse and Old High German, all expressing urgency or haste.
Related word forms
How hasty is actually used
Hasty is usually negative and often implies that speed has led to inadequate thought, preparation, or judgment. It is especially common in formal and professional contexts when discussing decisions, conclusions, or actions.
Easily confused with hasty
Haste is the noun meaning urgency or excessive speed, whereas hasty is the adjective describing an action, decision, or judgment performed in that way.