quick
19 synonyms and 2 antonyms for quick, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Moving or happening fast.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
Originally meant "alive, living" (as in "the quick and the dead") before it came to mean "fast."
Full origin of quick →Frequently asked questions
What does “quick” mean?
The word “quick” means moving or happening fast. In plain terms, fast, or mentally sharp.
How do you pronounce “quick”?
“Quick” is pronounced kwihk (/kwɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “quick” in a sentence?
Here is “quick” used in a sentence: “He gave a quick answer without thinking twice.”
What is another word for “quick”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quick” include speedy, rapid, swift, momentary, short-lived and droll.
What is the opposite of “quick”?
The opposite of “quick” — its antonyms — are slow and dead.
What part of speech is “quick”?
Depending on how it is used, “quick” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “quick” a common word?
“Quick” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “quick” have?
“Quick” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: moving or happening fast.
What is the difference between quick and fast?
Both mean not slow, but they lean different ways. 'Fast' usually describes high, sustained speed — a fast car, a fast runner. 'Quick' stresses short duration or a prompt response — a quick reply, a quick look. Something quick is over in a moment; something fast keeps moving at pace.
Is it correct to say 'quick' or 'quickly'?
'Quickly' is the standard adverb — 'she answered quickly.' 'Quick' is properly an adjective — 'a quick answer.' In casual speech people do use 'quick' as an adverb ('come quick!'), and it survives in set phrases like 'get rich quick,' but formal writing prefers 'quickly.'
What is the opposite of quick?
The direct opposite is 'slow.' Depending on the sense, other antonyms include 'sluggish' or 'unhurried' for movement, and 'gradual' or 'leisurely' for something that unfolds over a long stretch of time. When 'quick' means mentally sharp, its opposite would be 'slow-witted' or 'dull.'