Hasty means done too quickly, without enough thought or care. When you make a hasty decision, you rush into it before considering all the facts or possible consequences. A student who writes a hasty answer on a test might miss important details they would have caught if they'd slowed down and thought more carefully.

The word suggests careless, excessive speed. Something hasty is too fast, done with reckless quickness that leads to mistakes. A runner sprinting to the finish line is fast, but a person who rushes to judge someone based on first impressions is being hasty. There's wisdom in the old saying “haste makes waste,” which means rushing often leads to mistakes that create more work later.

You might make a hasty exit when leaving somewhere quickly (maybe because you're embarrassed), or offer a hasty apology when you realize you've made a mistake. The word often carries a warning that speed can override good judgment. Taking an extra moment to consider your options can save you from problems that hasty choices create.