Quicken: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to making something faster, often in a literary or poetic sense. It can also imply making someone more lively or excited.

• The arrival of spring quickened the pace of life in the village.
• Her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him.

Used in formal or technical contexts, often relating to vehicles or processes. It implies an increase in speed over time.

• The car accelerated as it entered the freeway.
• We need to accelerate the project timeline to meet the deadline.

Used in casual or everyday situations to suggest making something go faster. It’s the most informal of the options.

• Can you speed up? We're going to be late!
• The company plans to speed up production next year.

Used in more formal situations or old-fashioned contexts, often implying urgency or the need to hurry.

• She hastened to add that she was not responsible for the mistake.
• Seeing the storm clouds, they hastened their pace.