Quick answer
Hie means to hurry or go quickly. It is usually pronounced hy, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Hie
To hie means to hurry or go quickly. It belongs to shakespearean and stagey words and works best in playful writing, lively dialogue, and moments when plain wording feels too flat. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
shakespeareanstageydramatic
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you hie, you to hurry or go quickly. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Hie feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Hie is generally traced to old English verb meaning to hasten. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Hie is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The interns began to hie at once when the projector failed again.
- He hieed through the explanation so fast that nobody trusted the final answer.
- In the play, nervous witnesses hie whenever the magistrate clears his throat.
- She refused to hie about the crisis and gave the room a usable plan instead.
- The children hieed excitedly after finding the attic full of costumes.
When should you use this word?
Use hie when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
Similar words
Alack, Alas, Haggis, Halfwit, Hamadryad
Opposite or contrasting words
plain speech, everyday wording, straightforward language
Common questions
- What does hie mean? To hurry or go quickly.
- How do you pronounce hie? It is commonly pronounced hy.
- Is hie still used today? Hie is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use hie? Use hie when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
- What words are similar to hie? Similar words include Alack, Alas, Haggis, and Halfwit.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.