What does hurriedness mean?
Hurriedness means the state of being rushed or acting with urgency. It describes both the external pace of events and the resulting pressure on a person: decisions may be made quickly, tasks may be done in haste, and there may be little time to consider alternatives. The word is common in British and American English and is often neutral in tone, though it frequently carries a slightly negative implication. A journey made with hurriedness may feel stressful, while hurriedness in a meeting may lead to mistakes or overlooked details. Although “haste” is often a close synonym, hurriedness focuses more clearly on the quality of being rushed and on the pressure that urgency creates. It is a useful noun when describing the atmosphere, behaviour, or consequences of acting without enough time.
nounThe quality of being hurried; haste or urgency in action. It can also refer to a hurried or rushed state of mind.
- The quality of being hurried; haste or urgency.
- A state of mental or physical rush, often involving insufficient time to think or act carefully.
"The hurriedness of the departure left no time for a proper farewell."
"She answered with some hurriedness, glancing repeatedly at the clock."
"The hurriedness of the preparations led to several important details being overlooked."
Rare in ordinary usage; the singular form is standard.
"The hurriednesses of the final hour left the team working without clear priorities."
Hurriedness is more than simply moving fast: it is the feeling that time is pressing, often making even ordinary decisions feel rushed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hurriedness come from?
“Hurriedness” is formed in English by adding the suffix “-ness” to “hurried,” which in turn comes from “hurry.” The word “hurry” is recorded in Middle English, but the precise origin of that older form is uncertain. The derivative follows a productive English pattern in which “-ness” turns an adjective into a noun naming a quality or condition.
Related word forms
How hurriedness is actually used
Usually neutral to slightly negative, describing rushed behaviour or circumstances. It can suggest a lack of care, calm, or adequate time.
Easily confused with hurriedness
Hurry is the action of moving or acting quickly, whereas hurriedness is the quality or condition of being rushed.