What does hurtle mean?
Hurtle means to move with great speed and force, usually in a direction or toward something. The verb is especially effective when the movement feels sudden, uncontrolled, or likely to end in a collision: a car can hurtle through a barrier, while a runner might hurtle toward the finish line. In figurative use, it suggests that someone or something is propelled rapidly toward a consequential outcome, often with little time to deliberate. “Hurtled” describes the completed action and “hurtling” the ongoing one. Although it can be used neutrally, the word often carries a slightly dramatic or literary tone because it emphasizes momentum and impact. It is useful where a more ordinary verb such as “ran” or “moved” would lose the vivid suggestion of speed, urgency, or force. In British and American English, it is generally understood in this same energetic sense.
verbTo move with great speed or force, especially toward or into something. It can also be used figuratively for rapid, consequential movement.
- To move rapidly or with great force, especially toward or into something.
"The runaway carriage hurtled toward the edge of the platform."
"The runaway carriage hurtled toward the edge of the platform."
"Shares hurtled upward as the announcement sent the market into celebration."
Hurtle is speed with an edge: it suggests momentum, urgency, danger, and the possibility of impact.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hurtle come from?
The verb was recorded in English in the late sixteenth century, with its modern sense of moving rapidly already established. It is generally traced through Middle English hurtlen to Old French hurter, “to push or collide.” The source also underlies cognates including hurt, while French heurter and German hurten preserve the collision sense.
Related word forms
How hurtle is actually used
The verb has a somewhat literary or dramatic tone because it emphasizes speed, force, and often a lack of control. It is used both literally and figuratively.
Easily confused with hurtle
Hurl means to throw something forcefully, whereas hurtle means to move rapidly or forcefully.