hurtle
C1Formal/Literary
Definition
Meaning
To move or fall with great speed and force, often in an uncontrolled or noisy manner.
To proceed or rush headlong, vigorously, or recklessly into a situation or state; to be propelled violently through space or air.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strong connotation of uncontrolled, often dangerous, high-speed movement. Implies a lack of steering or deliberate direction. Often used for objects, vehicles, or abstract forces, less commonly for people under their own power.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slightly higher frequency in British literary and journalistic contexts.
Connotations
Shared connotations of violent, uncontrolled motion. No significant difference.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both dialects, primarily found in written narratives, news reports (e.g., about asteroids, cars, economies), and dramatic speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subj] hurtle + prepositional phrase (through, towards, into, down)[Subj] hurtle + adverb (headlong, backwards, past)send [Obj] hurtlingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hurtle headlong”
- “on a hurtling course”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possible in metaphors: 'The company is hurtling towards bankruptcy.'
Academic
Used in physics, astronomy, geology: 'The meteorite hurtled through the atmosphere.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Used for dramatic effect: 'I saw a cyclist hurtle past.'
Technical
Used in engineering/physics for uncontrolled high-velocity trajectories.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The runaway lorry hurtled down the steep hill towards the village.
- Fragments from the explosion hurtled through the air with terrifying force.
- The economy seems to be hurtling into another recession.
- He lost control and hurtled over the handlebars.
American English
- The truck hurtled down the freeway exit ramp, its brakes screaming.
- Debris hurtled past the windows of the space station.
- The startup is hurtling toward its Series B funding round.
- The pitcher hurtled a fastball directly at the batter's head.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ball hurtled towards the goal.
- A car hurtled past us on the motorway.
- The spacecraft will hurtle past Jupiter at tremendous speed.
- After the scandal, the company's shares hurtled downward.
- The nation appeared to be hurtling headlong into civil conflict.
- She watched the asteroid hurtle silently through the void, a speck of dust on a catastrophic trajectory.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HURT-ling rock - it moves so fast it could HURT you.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS UNCONTROLLED, DANGEROUS FORWARD MOTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'hurt' (причинять боль). 'Hurtle' - о движении, а не о повреждении. Ближе по смыслу к 'нестись', 'мчаться', но с оттенком неконтролируемости.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'hurdle' (a barrier/race). Incorrect: 'He hurtled over the fence.' (Unless he was flying uncontrollably over it). Overusing for normal running.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'hurtle' used most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but typically when they are propelled or falling uncontrollably (e.g., 'He was hurtled from the vehicle'), not for deliberate, controlled running.
'Hurtle' emphasizes violent, often chaotic or uncontrolled motion, while 'rush' can be deliberate and organized. A commuter might rush for a train; a boulder would hurtle down a mountainside.
No, it's a mid-to-low frequency word (C1 level), more common in written English (news, literature) than in everyday conversation.
No, it inherently describes very fast, forceful movement. Using it for slow motion is incorrect.