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adv B1 Intermediate Common

rapidly

RA-pihd-lee

Rapidly (adv) means Quickly; at a fast pace. Example: “The technology is developing rapidly.”

adv
1
Quickly; at a fast pace.
"The technology is developing rapidly."
"Prices rose rapidly after the shortage began."

How to use rapidly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn a fast or swift way.

Common pairings
grow rapidly change rapidly expand rapidly

Word forms

more rapidly comparative, most rapidly superlative

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Test yourself on “rapidly” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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Can you complete this real example?

The technology is developing _____.

Related words

Rhymes for rapidly

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Frequently asked questions

What does “rapidly” mean?

The word “rapidly” means quickly; at a fast pace. In plain terms, in a fast or swift way.

How do you pronounce “rapidly”?

“Rapidly” is pronounced RA-pihd-lee (/ˈɹæpɪdli/ in IPA).

How do you use “rapidly” in a sentence?

Here is “rapidly” used in a sentence: “The technology is developing rapidly.”

What part of speech is “rapidly”?

“Rapidly” is an adverb.

Is “rapidly” a common word?

“Rapidly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between rapidly and quickly?

Both mean at a fast pace and are often interchangeable. Rapidly is slightly more formal and is often used for processes or changes ("prices rose rapidly"), while quickly is the more everyday word.

What is the difference between rapidly and fast?

Rapidly is an adverb only, while fast works as both an adjective and an adverb. You can say "he ran fast" or "he ran rapidly," but only "fast" fits "a fast car."

Where does rapidly go in a sentence?

Rapidly usually comes right after the verb or the thing it describes, as in "the situation changed rapidly." It can also appear before the main verb for emphasis, as in "the city is rapidly growing."

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