Swiftly: meaning, definitions and examples

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swiftly

 

[ ˈswɪftli ]

Adverb / Adjective
Context #1 | Adverb

moving quickly

In a swift or quick manner; with speed or promptness.

Synonyms

fast, promptly, quickly, rapidly, speedily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
swiftly

Best used when emphasizing the smooth and efficient nature of the action, often in formal or poetic contexts.

  • The river flows swiftly
  • She swiftly handled the emergency
quickly

Appropriate for everyday use when simply referring to something done in a short amount of time.

  • He quickly finished his homework
  • She packed her bags quickly
rapidly

Often used to describe processes or changes occurring in a short time, and can be slightly more formal.

  • Technology is advancing rapidly
  • The population is growing rapidly
speedily

More commonly used in formal contexts or older literary works; implies a sense of urgency.

  • The mail was delivered speedily
  • They responded speedily to the situation
promptly

Best used when emphasizing punctuality or the quick response to a request or command.

  • She answered the email promptly
  • They arrived promptly at 8 AM
fast

This is the most generic term for describing high speed and can be used in almost any context, informal or formal.

  • He runs very fast
  • The car moves fast

Examples of usage

  • She ran swiftly to catch the bus.
  • He completed the task swiftly and efficiently.
  • The wind blew swiftly through the trees.
  • The cheetah ran swiftly to catch its prey.
  • We need to act swiftly to address this issue.
Context #2 | Adjective

done with speed

Done or performed quickly or promptly.

Synonyms

fast, prompt, quick, rapid, speedy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
swiftly

Similar to 'swiftly' but emphasizing elegance and smoothness in rapid motion.

  • The thief moved swiftly through the alley
  • She swiftly changed the subject during the discussion
quick

Commonly used to describe something that takes a short amount of time or requires little effort to achieve speed.

  • She took a quick shower before heading out
  • The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
rapid

Often used to describe something that happens very fast, especially in contexts like growth or changes.

  • We saw a rapid improvement in her health
  • The river has a rapid current
speedy

Informal way to emphasize haste, often used in conversational language. Can imply efficiency along with speed.

  • I need a speedy resolution to this issue
  • Their service was really speedy
prompt

Used to describe something that is done quickly and without delay, often with a sense of urgency or efficiency.

  • They were very prompt in responding to the emergency
  • He gave a prompt reply to the email
fast

General term for high speed. Can be used in many situations, from physical speed to quickness in completing tasks.

  • The train was moving very fast
  • She learned the new song fast

Examples of usage

  • The team made a swift decision to move forward with the project.
  • She gave a swift response to the email.
  • He is known for his swift actions in times of crisis.
  • The company provided swift customer service.
  • The swift delivery of the package exceeded expectations.

Translations

Translations of the word "swiftly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rapidamente

🇮🇳 शीघ्रता से

🇩🇪 schnell

🇮🇩 dengan cepat

🇺🇦 швидко

🇵🇱 szybko

🇯🇵 迅速に (じんそくに)

🇫🇷 rapidement

🇪🇸 rápidamente

🇹🇷 hızlıca

🇰🇷 빠르게

🇸🇦 بسرعة

🇨🇿 rychle

🇸🇰 rýchlo

🇨🇳 迅速地 (xùnsù de)

🇸🇮 hitro

🇮🇸 hratt

🇰🇿 жылдам

🇬🇪 სწრაფად

🇦🇿 sürətlə

🇲🇽 rápidamente

Etymology

The word 'swiftly' originated from the Old English word 'swiftlīce', which means quickly or promptly. The adverb 'swiftly' has been in use for centuries to describe actions or movements done with speed and efficiency. It is derived from the adjective 'swift', which has roots in various Germanic languages. Over time, 'swiftly' has become a common adverb in the English language, used to convey the idea of quickness and promptness.

See also: swift, swiftness.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,617 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.