speedily

English

Etymology

From Middle English spedily, spedili, from Old English *spēdiġlīċe, ġespēdiġlīċe (“prosperously”), equivalent to speedy +‎ -ly. Cognate with Scots spedely, spedelie (“quickly, speedily”). Compare also Old English spēdlīċe (“effectually, effectively, successfully, efficaciously, powerfully, in a manner which produces a result”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈspiːdɪli/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

Adverb

speedily (comparative speedilier or more speedily, superlative speediliest or most speedily)

1. In a speedy or fast manner.
   • 1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 205:

     He was speedily reassured, and with a large, white, rascally grin, and a glance at his charge, seemed to take me into partnership in his exalted trust.

   • 1944, H. Lorna Bingham, Tuckonie's Warrior Friend, page 33, column 2:

     If they keep marching as speedily as they are now, they should reach us within three days."

Usage notes

The forms "speedilier" and "speediliest" are obsolete.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:quickly

Translations

in a speedy or fast manner

• Bulgarian: бързо (bg) (bǎrzo), незабавно (bg) (nezabavno)
• Sanskrit: मक्षू (sa) (makṣū)