quick
kwihk
Quick (adj) means moving or happening fast. Example: “Let's grab a quick coffee before the train leaves.”
adj
1
Moving or happening fast.
"Let's grab a quick coffee before the train leaves."
"He gave a quick answer without thinking twice."
"It was a quick trip — we were back within the hour."
2
Mentally sharp; able to understand or react fast.
"The quick child solved the puzzle before the teacher finished explaining it."
"She has a quick wit and a sharp memory."
"You need a quick mind to keep up in that job."
noun
1
(the quick) The sensitive flesh under a fingernail.
"She bit her nail down to the quick."
"Trimming a dog's nails too short can cut the quick."
"She winced when the clippers touched the quick of her thumbnail."
How to use quick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFast, or mentally sharp.
Common mistake
Quick describes speed as an adjective; quickly is the adverb used with verbs — "a quick reply" but "he replied quickly."
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Word forms
- Plural
- quicks
- Third person singular
- quicks
- Past tense
- quicked
- Comparative
- quicker, more quick
- Superlative
- quickest, most quick
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Let's grab a _____ coffee before the train leaves.
Etymology
Originally meant "alive, living" (as in "the quick and the dead") before it came to mean "fast."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for quick
See all rhymes for 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.'
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