Quick: meaning, definitions and examples

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quick

 

[ kwɪk ]

Adjective / Adverb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

action

done or happening with great speed; fast

Synonyms

fast, speedy, swift.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
quick

Used to describe something that happens in a short amount of time or someone who is prompt and efficient.

  • He gave a quick response to the question
  • She made a quick decision
fast

Refers to high speed or rapidity in movement or action. Often used when talking about speed or time.

  • The car is extremely fast
  • He runs fast despite his age
swift

Typically describes something moving quickly and smoothly, often used in literary or formal contexts.

  • The bird took a swift flight
  • The swift justice served was appreciated
speedy

Emphasizes both quickness and efficiency, commonly used in everyday conversation to highlight swiftness or urgency.

  • She made a speedy recovery
  • We need a speedy resolution to this issue

Examples of usage

  • a quick decision
  • a quick response to the emergency
Context #2 | Adverb

speed

at a high speed; quickly

Synonyms

rapidly, speedily, swiftly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
quick

This word can describe both speed and intelligence. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to something happening in a short amount of time or to describe someone who thinks fast.

  • She gave a quick response.
  • He's very quick to understand new concepts.
swiftly

This word suggests smooth and fast movement or action. It is often used in literature or to describe physical actions.

  • The bird flew swiftly across the sky.
  • He moved swiftly to catch the falling glass.
rapidly

This word is more formal and is often used in scientific, technical, or professional contexts to describe something that happens very fast.

  • The disease spread rapidly across the city.
  • Technology is advancing rapidly.
speedily

This word stresses not just the quickness but also the efficiency of the action. It is less common in everyday speech and may appear in formal writing.

  • The project was completed speedily and efficiently.
  • They reacted speedily to the emergency.

Examples of usage

  • He ran quickly to catch the bus
  • She finished her work quickly and efficiently
Context #3 | Noun

slang

a person's private parts

Synonyms

genitals, nether regions, private parts.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
quick

Used when describing something happening or done in a short amount of time. Suitable for informal and formal contexts.

  • He made a quick decision.
  • Let's have a quick meeting before lunch.
genitals

Scientific and medical term for the external sexual organs. Appropriate in clinical, educational, or formal settings.

  • The doctor examined the patient’s genitals.
  • Some diseases can affect the genitals.
private parts

A more discreet and commonly used term for the genitals, especially in everyday conversation. Suitable for informal and neutral contexts.

  • Teach children that no one should touch their private parts.
  • He was embarrassed about showing his private parts in public.
nether regions

A euphemistic or humorous way to refer to the lower parts of the body, especially the genital area. Often used in informal or lighthearted settings.

  • He got kicked in the nether regions.
  • She felt a strange sensation in her nether regions.

Examples of usage

  • He got kicked in the quick
  • She punched him in the quick

Translations

Translations of the word "quick" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rápido

🇮🇳 तेज़

🇩🇪 schnell

🇮🇩 cepat

🇺🇦 швидкий

🇵🇱 szybki

🇯🇵 速い (hayai)

🇫🇷 rapide

🇪🇸 rápido

🇹🇷 hızlı

🇰🇷 빠른 (ppareun)

🇸🇦 سريع

🇨🇿 rychlý

🇸🇰 rýchly

🇨🇳 快 (kuài)

🇸🇮 hitro

🇮🇸 fljótur

🇰🇿 жылдам

🇬🇪 სწრაფი (sts'rap'i)

🇦🇿 sürətli

🇲🇽 rápido

Etymology

The word 'quick' can be traced back to Old English 'cwicu' which meant 'alive, living'. Over time, the meaning shifted to include the sense of speed and agility. The use of 'quick' to describe fast actions or responses became more common in Middle English. Today, 'quick' is a versatile word used to convey speed, efficiency, and vitality in various contexts.

See also: quicken, quickening, quickly, quickness, quicksand.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,396, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.