expedite
C1Formal, Business, Academic, Legal
Definition
Meaning
To make a process or action happen more quickly.
To speed up the progress or completion of something, often by taking official or decisive action; to facilitate or accelerate a process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries an official or procedural connotation, often involving administrative or bureaucratic processes. It implies an active intervention to remove delays, not merely waiting for things to happen faster.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. It is equally used in formal contexts in both varieties. The pronunciation differs.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes efficiency, formality, and decisive action.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in business/legal contexts, but the difference is minor.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] expedited [Object][Subject] expedited [Object] by [Gerund/NP][Subject] took steps to expedite [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe speeding up deliveries, approvals, payments, or administrative tasks.
Academic
Used in discussing methodologies, research processes, or administrative reviews.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might be used when discussing official paperwork (e.g., visas, permits).
Technical
Common in logistics, supply chain management, legal proceedings, and project management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We have hired extra staff to expedite the processing of visa applications.
- The manager expedited the order to ensure next-day delivery.
- Could you expedite matters by signing the documents today?
American English
- The CEO expedited the merger talks to close the deal before quarter's end.
- We paid a fee to expedite the passport renewal.
- The new software will expedite data entry significantly.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form. 'Expeditiously' exists but is very formal/legal.
American English
- No standard adverb form. 'Expeditiously' exists but is very formal/legal.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form in common use. 'Expeditious' is related but distinct.
American English
- No standard adjective form in common use. 'Expeditious' is related but distinct.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Sorry, no A2-level examples. This word is too advanced for A2.
- The company will expedite your delivery.
- Please expedite this report.
- The legal team took steps to expedite the contract review.
- To expedite the checkout process, please have your payment details ready.
- The government implemented new regulations to expedite the environmental approval process for major infrastructure projects.
- His influential contacts expedited the otherwise sluggish bureaucratic procedure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EXPEDITE' as coming from 'EXPEDITION' – you want your process to move as fast and purposefully as an expedition.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROCESS IS A JOURNEY (Removing obstacles to speed up the journey).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not synonymous with просто "ускорить" (to accelerate) in all contexts; implies an official, facilitating action. It's closer to "содействовать быстрому завершению" or "ускорить (официально)".
- False friend: "экспедировать" in Russian typically means only 'to ship/despatch goods', which is a narrower meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'We need to expedite faster.' (redundant) Correct: 'We need to expedite the process.'
- Incorrect use in informal contexts where 'speed up' or 'hurry up' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'expedite' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, business, legal, and academic contexts. In everyday speech, 'speed up' or 'hurry up' are more common.
Not typically. Its object is usually a process, task, or thing (e.g., delivery, approval, process). You expedite the *action* concerning a person, not the person themselves.
The related noun is 'expedition' (in the sense of speed or promptness), but it's rare. More common nouns are 'expediter' (a person who expedites) and 'expediency' (which has a different meaning). In context, people often use 'expediting' as a gerund.
'Accelerate' is more general and physical (e.g., accelerate a car). 'Expedite' is specifically about administrative or procedural processes and implies active facilitation to overcome delays.
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