English

expedite

gb/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt/ us/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt/
C1 English
Senses
0 senses
Verb business C1 action
1

make something happen sooner

To do something so it finishes faster.

Usage pattern: expedite [something]
Common mistake:
Often confused with "facilitate" (make easier) and "execute" (carry out); "expedite" specifically means make faster.
Synonyms
speed up (More common and less formal.) | accelerate (Often suggests increasing the rate or pace.) | fast-track (Emphasizes giving priority to finish sooner.) | streamline (Emphasizes simplifying steps to reduce delays.)
Antonyms
delay (Cause something to happen later than planned.) | slow down (Reduce the speed or progress of something.)
Collocations
expedite the process |expedite a project |expedite a request |expedite approval |expedite a permit |expedite paperwork |expedite the review |expedite implementation |expedite a decision |expedite completion
Themes
business |work |government |time_management
Examples
  • We hired an extra analyst to expedite the review of the applications.
  • The company is changing suppliers to expedite production.
  • A direct call to the support team can sometimes expedite the process.
Learner examples
  • Can you expedite my request?
  • They expedited the paperwork.
Verb business C1 action
2

arrange faster delivery or shipping

To send something faster than normal.

Usage pattern: expedite [an order/package/shipment]
Common mistake:
Learners may think it means "send" in general; it specifically means send faster or with priority.
Synonyms
rush (More informal; often implies urgency.) | send out quickly (More general phrasing, less businesslike.) | prioritize (Focuses on giving it earlier attention, not necessarily shipping.)
Antonyms
hold (Keep back from being sent or delivered.) | defer (Postpone to a later time (more formal).)
Collocations
expedite shipping |expedite delivery |expedite an order |expedite a shipment |expedite dispatch |expedite fulfillment |expedite the package |expedite the replacement |expedite service |expedite handling
Themes
shopping |customer_service |logistics |business
Examples
  • Customer service agreed to expedite the replacement order.
  • We can expedite the shipment for an additional fee.
  • The warehouse expedited delivery because the item was needed for a launch.
Learner examples
  • Please expedite my order.
  • They expedited the delivery.
Grammar
Dictionary form
expedite
IPA
GB/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt/
US/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt/
Syllables & stress
ex - ped - ite (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ex)
Word forms
Verb
  • Base: expedite
  • 3rd Person Singular: expedites
  • Present Participle: expediting
  • Past: expedited
Word family
Forms
expedites verb expediting verb expedited verb
Core family
expeditious adjective expeditiously adverb
Related words
expediter noun expeditor noun expedition noun B1
Advanced or less common
expedient adjective C1 expediency noun
Expressions

expedite an order

1
/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt ən ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase business

process an order sooner

To make an order ready faster.

Examples
  • Could you expedite my order? I need it for a meeting next week.
  • The supplier expedited the order after we explained the urgency.
  • We can’t expedite an order once it has already shipped.

expedite approval

1
/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt əpɹˈuvəl/
fixed phrase formal

get approval faster

To get permission faster.

Examples
  • The team submitted extra documentation to expedite approval.
  • We’re working with the agency to expedite approval of the new label.
  • Paying the fee does not guarantee you can expedite approval.

expedite delivery

1
/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt dɪlˈɪvɚi/
fixed phrase business

arrange faster delivery

To get faster delivery.

Examples
  • We can expedite delivery if you need the parts by Friday.
  • The store offered to expedite delivery at no extra cost.
  • They expedited delivery because the original shipment was delayed.

expedite shipping

1
/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt ʃˈɪpɪŋ/
fixed phrase business

ship something faster

To make shipping faster.

Examples
  • We can expedite shipping, but it will increase the total cost.
  • The seller expedited shipping after noticing the package was stuck in transit.
  • If you expedite shipping today, the order should arrive by Wednesday.

expedite the process

1
/ˈɛkspɪdˌaɪt ðə pɹˈɑsˌɛs/
fixed phrase business

make a process go faster

To make the process faster.

Examples
  • Adding a second reviewer should expedite the process.
  • We changed the form to expedite the process of onboarding new employees.
  • A missing signature can slow things down instead of expediting the process.

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