Vocabulary in context
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Expeditious
Done with speed and efficiency; acting promptly and without delay.
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Imagine This
Imagine a courier sprinting through a busy city street. His parcels are perfectly organized, his steps precise, and he hands each package to the right person with a smile—everything happens in an expeditious rush that still feels calm and controlled.
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Sounds Like
ek-spuh-DIH-shuhs
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Looks Like
expedite, expedition
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Remember This
Expeditious describes the speed or efficiency of an action or process, not a person by default (though you can describe a person as expeditious in very formal contexts). The related verb is expedite; related nouns include expediency and expeditiousness.
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Other Forms
expediteverb
expeditionnoun
expeditedadjective
expeditiouslyadverb
expeditiousnessnoun
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Connect With
efficient, prompt, swift, rapid; related terms: expedite, expediency, expeditiousness
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Note
Avoid confusing expeditious with slower or hesitant actions. Use it for fast, efficient outcomes (e.g., services, procedures, responses). Common collocations: expeditious service, expeditious handling, expeditious processing.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The expeditious processing of visa applications reduced wait times for travelers.
- The hospital's expeditious response saved lives during the crisis.
Synonyms
speedyswiftpromptefficientexpedient
Antonyms
delayeddilatoryslow
Etymology
From Latin expeditus meaning 'unimpeded, unfettered', derived from expedire 'to free, release' (hence free to move quickly once unburdened).
Mnemonic
Think of express delivery: expeditious describes something done with express-like speed and efficiency. The word evokes fast, reliable action—the same mental cue you use for rapid delivery.
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Clemency
nounMercy or leniency shown toward someone, especially by a judge or official, sparing or reducing punishment.
Diligence
nounThe quality of being careful, thorough, and persistent in one's work; steady, earnest effort toward a goal.
Innovative
adjectiveTending to introduce new ideas, methods, or devices; creatively original and ahead of current practice.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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