Quickly: meaning, definitions and examples
⚡
quickly
[ ˈkwɪkli ]
in a fast manner
At a high rate of speed; rapidly; swiftly.
Synonyms
promptly, rapidly, speedily, swiftly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
quickly |
General situations requiring fast action or movement, without focusing on professionalism or immediacy.
|
rapidly |
Situations emphasizing high speed, often referring to processes, growth, or changes over a period.
|
swiftly |
Describing movement or action that is very fast and smooth, often in literary or descriptive contexts.
|
speedily |
Emphasizing efficiency and often associated with tasks or actions that need to be completed fast, sometimes in a formal context.
|
promptly |
Formal or professional settings where immediate action is required or highly valued.
|
Examples of usage
- She quickly finished her homework before going out with her friends.
- He quickly ran to catch the bus before it left.
done with speed
Moving fast or doing something in a short amount of time.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
quickly |
Used to describe something done in a short amount of time. It can refer to both physical actions and changes or processes. It is neutral in tone.
|
speedy |
Suggests high speed and efficiency in completing a task. It is slightly less formal than 'rapid' and can be used in both personal and professional contexts.
|
fast |
Commonly used to describe speed. It is often associated with physical movement and performance, such as running, driving, or technology. It is neutral but can be more emphatic than 'quickly'.
|
rapid |
Describes something happening or moving very quickly, often used in more formal or technical contexts. It can refer to growth, development, or motion.
|
hasty |
Implies something done with excessive speed, often without sufficient care or thought. It carries a negative connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- The quickly approaching storm forced everyone to seek shelter.
- She gave a quickly prepared speech at the event.
Translations
Translations of the word "quickly" in other languages:
🇵🇹 rapidamente
🇮🇳 तेज़ी से
🇩🇪 schnell
🇮🇩 dengan cepat
🇺🇦 швидко
🇵🇱 szybko
🇯🇵 速く (hayaku)
🇫🇷 rapidement
🇪🇸 rápidamente
🇹🇷 hızlıca
🇰🇷 빨리 (ppalli)
🇸🇦 بسرعة (bisurʿa)
🇨🇿 rychle
🇸🇰 rýchlo
🇨🇳 迅速地 (xùnsù de)
🇸🇮 hitro
🇮🇸 hratt
🇰🇿 жылдам
🇬🇪 სწრაფად (sts'rapad)
🇦🇿 tez
🇲🇽 rápidamente
Etymology
The word 'quickly' originated from the Old English word 'cwiclice', which means 'lively' or 'vigorously'. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent speed and swiftness. The adverb 'quickly' has been used in the English language for centuries to describe actions done with speed or in a fast manner.
See also: quick, quicken, quickening, quickness, quicksand.