What does sprinted mean?
“Sprinted” is the past tense of “sprint,” a verb meaning to run or move with great speed for a short time. It often suggests a sudden, energetic burst of movement rather than a sustained pace: someone may sprinted to catch a train, sprinted across a finish line, or sprinted through a task. In figurative use, “sprinted” can describe acting quickly and urgently, usually with a sense of haste or pressure. The word is common in British and American English and appears regularly in descriptions of athletics, emergencies, commuting, and deadline-driven work. Its strong implication of temporary but impressive speed makes it more vivid than simply saying someone “ran.” “Sprinted” is also used when narrating completed actions, especially in reports, sports coverage, and storytelling.
To run at very high speed for a short distance.
"He sprinted down the street when he realized he had left his wallet at home."
Often used for a short, sudden burst of speed.
To move or complete an activity with exceptional speed and urgency.
"The team sprinted through the final preparations for the launch."
This figurative sense is common in reporting and informal descriptions of demanding work.
A sprint is a burst of speed: stopwatch-ready, all-out, and over before the excitement wears off.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sprinted come from?
The modern English word belongs to the English family of “sprint,” whose older noun and verb forms referred to a short, rapid run. The precise history of the term is obscure, but it became established in English before the verb gained its modern sense of moving at great speed. The related noun “sprinter,” meaning a person who runs very fast, follows the same lexical root and is especially common in athletics.
Related word forms
How sprinted is actually used
“Sprint” commonly refers to a short, fast run or a sudden burst of rapid activity. It is used in both ordinary and sporting contexts.
Easily confused with sprinted
“Sprinted” is the past tense of the verb “to sprint,” whereas “sprinter” is a noun for someone who runs at high speed.