hurtle - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
hurtle Word Meanings
- to move with great speed or force
- to cause something to move with force
- to rush forward quickly
hurtle Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
hurtle Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈhɜːtəl/
US
/ˈhɜrtl/
hurtle Word Etymology
Root decomposition: hurtle = hurt + -le (from 'hurl'). Historical origin: Middle English (hurtlen), possibly from dialectal origin. Memory image: Imagine a stone hurled through the air, hurtling forcefully towards its target, like a gushing river current.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
To hurtle means to move with great speed or force, or to send something sweeping forward with power. It suggests sudden, almost ungoverned motion rather than a calm stroll or deliberate pacing. You can use it for people running hard or for objects propelled through the air, as in a stone hurled toward its target or a car that hurtles down a road. Intransitive: the train hurtles along the track; transitive: the storm hurled debris across the harbor. The nuance is stronger than hurry or speed and often conveys danger, impact, or dramatic momentum. In everyday speech, hurtle tends to appear in descriptive or energetic writing rather than in routine conversation.
Usage Reminders
- 1. Use hurtle for strong, rapid movement with force. 2. Common with toward/into/along for direction. 3. Different from hurl (throw with force). 4. Often used in vivid or dramatic contexts. 5. It can be transitive or intransitive (the wind hurled/it hertles). 6. Not a substitute for hurry; reserve for strong momentum.
Common Misconceptions
- It is not a milder synonym for run or move quickly.
- It does not always involve a person; objects can hurtle too.
- Hurt les emphasizes momentum and impact, not just speed.
- Do not confuse with hurl, which is about throwing something.
- It often requires a clear direction with a preposition (toward/into/along).
Thinking Differences
In English, hurtle conveys dramatic momentum and a sense of uncontrolled speed, often in vivid or narrative contexts. Learners may default to hurry for any fast action, misplacing nuance, or confuse hurtle with hurl (throw with force) when the subject is moving rather than being thrown.
Learning Tips
- Visualize a scene with strong wind or force to match the momentum.
- Pair with toward/into/along to show direction clearly.
- Differentiate hurtle from hurry (speed vs impulse) and from hurl (throw).
- Use in vivid writing or dramatic description to maximize impact.
- Watch subject-verb agreement: it hurtles; they hurtle; the noun is the mover.
- Practice paraphrasing in sentences to keep nuance consistent.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'hurtle'?
A.To move slowly
B.To stand still
C.To fly in the air
D.To move quickly and forcefully
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'hurtle' correctly?
A.She gently walked in the park.
B.The tree swayed in the wind.
C.He sat quietly in the library.
D.The train hurtled down the tracks.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'hurtle'?
A.Dash
B.Stroll
C.Pace
D.Crawl
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'hurtle'?
A.Accelerate
B.Decelerate
C.Maintain
D.Procrastinate
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life scenario would someone 'hurtle'?
A.Walking in a garden
B.Sitting on a bench
C.Riding a roller coaster
D.Reading a book
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