Words / B1

HAYST-il-ee/ˈheɪstɪli/

Hastily means very quickly, often without enough care: hastily rewritten; act hastily. Hasty is the adjective. Quickly is more neutral; carelessly stresses the lack of care. In haste is a related phrase. Policies hastily rewritten the night before a vote attract criticism.

Meaning

Very quickly, often without enough care.

Examples

• “The policy was hastily rewritten the night before the vote.”
• “Do not pack the portfolio hastily — pages go missing.”

Good to know

hastily + past participle (rewritten, arranged). Adjective: hasty. Neutral: quickly. Related: in haste. Last-minute policy news.

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