What does hie mean?
“Hie” is an old-fashioned verb meaning to hurry away or go swiftly. It is transitive in its sense of hastening toward someone or something, but its usual modern appearance is in archaic or literary constructions such as “hie away” and “hie thee.” The word conveys urgency and purposeful haste rather than ordinary walking. It can be found in Scottish English, where it has also retained a somewhat more familiar sound, and in older literary works influenced by medieval and early modern English. Today, “hie” is not normally used in standard everyday conversation; speakers are more likely to say “hurry,” “hasten,” or “rush.” Its survival in memorable expressions gives it a vivid, old-fashioned quality, making it especially effective in historical narration, poetry, or deliberately archaic writing.
verbTo go quickly or hasten away. “Hie” is now uncommon outside archaic, poetic, and Scottish usage.
- To hurry or hasten away, especially in response to an urgent summons or command.
"The messenger hied away to deliver the news."
"The messenger hied away to deliver the news."
"The company hied away before the storm reached the village."
Once a familiar word for setting off in haste, “hie” survives mainly in the evocative phrase “hie away.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hie come from?
“Hie” comes through Middle English from an Old English verb associated with hastening or going quickly. The word continued in Middle and Early Modern English, especially in the North of England and Scotland, before becoming increasingly literary and archaic. Its precise remote ancestry is not certain enough to trace confidently beyond the Middle and Old English stages, so no further cognates are asserted here.
Related word forms
How hie is actually used
Archaic and literary rather than everyday modern English. It is especially associated with Scottish usage and appears in formulas such as “hie thee” and “hie away.”
Easily confused with hie
As a verb, “hie” means to hurry or go quickly; it is distinct from unrelated words that may resemble it in spelling or sound.