adv
Uncommon
swiftly
SWIHFT-lee
Swiftly (adv) means In a fast or quick manner. Example: “The team moved swiftly to fix the outage.”
adv
1
In a fast or quick manner.
"Strategic sites in even the remotest regions of the kingdom were swiftly fortified using forced labour."
— Linda Flavell, 1066[:] The Normans Begin to Erect Castles (1999)
"The team moved swiftly to fix the outage."
"Rumors spread swiftly through the office."
"Mrs. Piper cut short these piracies by swiftly removing his spoon."
— Norman Lindsay, Redheap (1930)
How to use swiftly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQuickly, without delay.
Common pairings
act swiftly
move swiftly
respond swiftly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- swiftlier, more swiftly
- Superlative
- swiftliest, most swiftly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team moved _____ to fix the outage.
Etymology
From Middle English swiftly, swyftely, or swiftliche, from Old English swiftlīċe (“swiftly”), equivalent to swift plus -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “swiftly” mean?
The word “swiftly” means in a fast or quick manner. In plain terms, quickly, without delay.
How do you pronounce “swiftly”?
“Swiftly” is pronounced SWIHFT-lee (/ˈswɪftli/ in IPA).
How do you use “swiftly” in a sentence?
Here is “swiftly” used in a sentence: “The team moved swiftly to fix the outage.”
What part of speech is “swiftly”?
“Swiftly” is an adverb.
Is “swiftly” a common word?
“Swiftly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between swiftly and quickly?
Swiftly and quickly are close synonyms meaning done in a fast manner, but swiftly often carries a slightly more graceful or elegant connotation, as in smooth, effortless speed. Quickly is more neutral and general-purpose, fitting almost any context involving speed. Both are adverbs describing how an action is performed.
Is swiftly formal or informal?
Swiftly leans slightly more formal or literary than everyday alternatives like fast or quick. It appears often in news writing, narrative prose, and official statements describing rapid action, such as a swiftly resolved dispute. It is still widely understood and used in everyday speech.
What kind of words does swiftly typically modify?
As an adverb, swiftly modifies verbs describing movement or action, such as move, react, respond, or flow. It commonly appears in phrases like acted swiftly or the river flowed swiftly, emphasizing speed without effort or hesitation.
