expedite
EKS-puh-dyte
/ˈɛkspədaɪt/
To accelerate the progress of a task, process, or delivery.
Implies taking active steps to remove obstacles and speed up execution beyond normal pace.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'expedire' (literally 'to free the feet from shackles'). If your feet are freed from entanglements, you can move forward with rapid speed.
Word relationships
- accelerate: Accelerate means to increase physical speed or rate; expedite emphasizes clearing obstacles to rush a process.
- hasten: Hasten implies rushing, which can sometimes carry a negative connotation of doing something rashly.
- delay: To slow down or postpone progress.
- impede: To block or create hurdles that slow down work.
Commonly confused with
- expedition: An expedition is a journey or voyage; expedite is to speed up a workflow.
Word family
- expeditious (adjective): Done with speed and efficiency.
- expedition (noun): Promptness or speed in accomplishing a task.
Collocations
- expedite delivery
- expedite the process
- expedite construction
- expedite approval
Idioms & expressions
- put on the fast track
Example sentences
- "The project manager had to expedite concrete delivery to finish the slab before the heavy rain started." Schedule Management
Memory hook
EX-PED-ite frees your FEET (ped) so you can run fast. Freeing the feet to move fast.
When not to use
Do not use to describe physical sprinting or human running speed.
Fun facts
- In shipping and procurement, 'expediters' are specialized employees whose sole job is to chase suppliers and force fast deliveries.
Related words
Explore more words
expeditious, fast-track, accelerate, express, streamline, impede
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