English has many word pairs that look similar but create confusion. Expedite vs expediate is one such example because both forms appear to follow a similar pattern, but they do not have the same status in standard English.
The correct and widely accepted word is expedite. It means to make something happen faster, especially by removing delays or improving a process. Expediate is generally considered nonstandard, uncommon, or a mistaken back-formation from expedite.
Understanding the difference helps writers, professionals, and students choose the correct word in formal and everyday communication.
Quick Answer
Expedite is the correct standard English word and means “to speed up” or “to make a process happen more quickly.” Expediate is rarely used and is usually considered incorrect or unnecessary in modern English. Use expedite when you want to describe making something faster.
What Does Expedite Mean?
Expedite is a verb that means to speed up a process, action, request, or delivery.
It is commonly used when someone wants something completed sooner than the normal timeline. The word often appears in business, government, shipping, customer service, and professional writing.
Examples:
- The company will expedite your order so it arrives tomorrow.
- The manager asked the team to expedite the approval process.
- The hospital worked to expedite emergency treatment.
In each example, expedite means making something happen faster.
What Does Expediate Mean?
Expediate is not generally accepted as a standard English word.
Some people use it because they assume the verb form should be created from words like:
- immediate → immediately
- appropriate → appropriately
This pattern can make expediate seem logical, but English does not always form words in predictable ways.
Most dictionaries do not recognize expediate as a standard replacement for expedite. In professional writing, it is best avoided.
Example:
❌ The company will expediate the shipment.
✅ The company will expedite the shipment.
Expedite vs Expediate: Key Difference
| Word | Meaning | Standard Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Expedite | To make something happen faster | Correct and widely used |
| Expediate | Intended to mean the same as expedite | Rare, nonstandard, usually avoided |
The main difference is not meaning but acceptance. Expedite is the established English form, while expediate is generally treated as an error or an unnecessary variation.
Why Do People Confuse Expedite and Expediate?
The confusion happens because many English verbs end with -ate, and speakers sometimes create new forms by adding endings that sound natural.
For example:
- separate → separate
- operate → operate
- communicate → communicate
Because expedite sounds like it might need an expanded form, some writers add “-ate” and create expediate.
However, expedite already functions as the complete verb. It does not need an additional ending.
How to Use Expedite Correctly
Use expedite when talking about making something faster.
Common combinations include:
Expedite a Process
Meaning: Make a procedure move faster.
Example:
- The new system will expedite the hiring process.
Expedite Delivery
Meaning: Make shipping or arrival happen sooner.
Example:
- Customers can pay extra to expedite delivery.
Expedite Approval
Meaning: Help a decision happen faster.
Example:
- The company requested expedited approval for the project.
Expedite a Request
Meaning: Handle a request more quickly.
Example:
- The support team expedited my refund request.
Is Expedite Formal or Informal?
Expedite is a formal and professional word, but it is also common in everyday situations.
You will often see it in:
- business communication
- legal documents
- government notices
- workplace emails
- shipping services
In casual conversation, people often use simpler alternatives:
- speed up
- hurry up
- make faster
- move along
Examples:
Formal:
- We need to expedite the review process.
Casual:
- We need to speed up the review.
Both are correct, but expedite sounds more professional.
Expedite as an Adjective: Expedited
The adjective form of expedite is expedited.
It describes something that has been made faster.
Examples:
- I selected expedited shipping.
- The application received expedited review.
- The company offers expedited service.
The word expediate should not be used to create an adjective.
Incorrect:
- expediate service
Correct:
- expedited service
Common Mistakes With Expedite
Mistake 1: Using Expediate Instead of Expedite
Incorrect:
- We will expediate your request.
Correct:
- We will expedite your request.
Explanation:
Expedite is the accepted verb form.
Mistake 2: Thinking Expedite Means “Do Something Immediately”
Although expedite involves speed, it does not always mean “right now.”
Example:
- The company expedited the repair.
This means the company made the repair happen faster, not necessarily instantly.
Mistake 3: Using Expedite When No Speed Change Exists
Incorrect:
- The report was expedited because it was completed normally.
Correct:
- The report was completed normally.
Use expedite only when something is made faster than usual.
Synonyms for Expedite
Depending on context, similar words include:
- accelerate
- speed up
- hasten
- advance
- fast-track
- facilitate
However, each word has slightly different uses.
For example:
- Accelerate often focuses on increasing speed.
- Fast-track suggests giving special priority.
- Facilitate means making something easier, not always faster.
Origin of Expedite
Expedite comes from the Latin word expeditus, meaning “free from obstacles” or “ready for action.”
The original idea was connected to removing barriers that slowed progress. Over time, English developed the modern meaning of making something happen more quickly.
The exact history of expediate is less clear because it is not an established standard form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is expediate a real word?
Expediate appears occasionally, but it is not considered standard modern English. Most writers should use expedite instead.
Which is correct: expedite or expediate?
Expedite is the correct and commonly accepted word. Expediate is generally considered incorrect or nonstandard.
Does expedite mean hurry?
Yes, in many contexts expedite means to hurry or speed up a process. However, it usually suggests improving the timeline rather than rushing carelessly.
Is expedite used in professional writing?
Yes. Expedite is frequently used in business, legal, medical, and administrative writing because it sounds precise and professional.
What is the adjective form of expedite?
The adjective form is expedited, as in “expedited shipping” or “expedited approval.”
Conclusion
When choosing between expedite vs expediate, use expedite. It is the correct standard English verb meaning to make something happen faster or remove delays from a process.
Although expediate may look logical, it is uncommon and usually considered incorrect in modern English. For clear professional and everyday writing, expedite is the better choice.
