quick

1 of 3

adjective

1
: acting or capable of acting with speed: such as
a(1)
: fast in development or occurrence
a quick succession of events
(2)
: done or taking place with rapidity
gave them a quick look
b(1)
: fast in understanding, thinking, or learning : mentally agile
a quick wit
quick thinking
(2)
: reacting to stimuli with speed and keen sensitivity
(3)
: aroused immediately and intensely
quick tempers
c
: marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of physical movement
walked with quick steps
d
: inclined to hastiness (as in action or response)
quick to criticize
e
: capable of being easily and speedily prepared
a quick and tasty dinner
2
: having a sharp angle
a quick turn in the road
3
: not dead : living, alive
4
a
: moving, shifting
quick mud
b
archaic : not stagnant : running, flowing
5
archaic : fiery, glowing
6
archaic : pregnant
7
obsolete
a
b
quickly adverb
quickness noun

quick

2 of 3

adverb

: in a quick manner

quick

3 of 3

noun

1
[probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse kvika sensitive flesh, from kvikr living]
a
: a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (such as that underlying a fingernail or toenail)
b
: the inmost sensibilities
hurt to the quick by the remark
c
: the very center of something : heart
2
quick plural : living beings
3
archaic : life sense 11
Choose the Right Synonym for quick

quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability.

quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

synonyms see in addition fast

Examples of quick in a Sentence

Adjective They had a quick drink at the bar. She took a quick shower. She gave him a quick kiss. You're back already? That was quick! We made a quick decision, but it turned out to be a good one. He got a quick reply to his inquiry. His quick thinking allowed him to escape trouble. Her friends admired her quick wit. He walked with quick steps. She has quick, agile hands. Adverb a scheme to get rich quick I got used to living with a roommate pretty quick. I can't run any quicker. Noun that nasty comment cut me to the quick
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The full instructions are below but here's a quick look at how to make it. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 John Candy was always quick with a joke as well as a helping hand. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 The highway was shut down for just about 30 minutes as crews make quick work of the debris; no injuries were reported and chain controls remained in effect Sunday afternoon. Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 Related Articles Warriors delayed getting to Toronto for second night of back-to-back road games Predictably, the Raptors got off to a quick start with a 14-7 lead, prompting two Kerr time-outs where the head coach looked visibly distressed with the energy level. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024 And on the dining front, Matsuhisa has renovated their upstairs space; basement bar Buck has just opened under Brunello Cucinelli, and quick serve joint Jimoto serves up ramen and soup dumplings. Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2024 Salmon is an easy, high protein, quick fish to cook to perfection right on top of the stove. Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024 Rapid antigen tests are relatively inexpensive, can be used without prior training and give quick results, typically within 10 or 15 minutes. Anuradha Rao, The Conversation, 1 Mar. 2024 The Gamecocks went on a 14-0 run, helped by six quick points from Chloe Kitts off the bench, to take a 40-22 lead. Ethan Westerman, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2024
Adverb
That’s by no means fast but still quicker than the HR-V, which packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and took more than 10 seconds to reach the same speed. Alex Nishimoto, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024 Updates to the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission improve shift times by 25 percent, and the active suspension now responds to driver input — or changes in the road surface — 90 percent quicker due to an improved electrical architecture. Karl Brauer, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 This could become an issue because, as Cotton noted, the nonstick coating on the pan has a tendency to deteriorate quicker than preferred. Micki Wagner, Saveur, 21 Feb. 2024 Other people have been my legs countless times, and this has broken down barriers quicker than any conversation. Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2024 That zero-to-60 mph burst is more than two seconds faster than the Rover Sport’s 335 hp starter model, and a full second quicker than even the 542 hp Rover Sport PHEV P550e. Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2024 Nothing makes an influencer lose authenticity and reliability quicker than a brand partnership that doesn’t exactly fit. Helen Barreto, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 That would make the transaction quicker than other MLB sales and result in the new group taking over as owners before Baltimore’s opening day on March 28. Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, the new Taycan Turbo S sedan will be capable of reaching 60mph in just 2.3 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than previously. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 6 Feb. 2024
Noun
Stress hormones flood your system, making your heart pound, your blood pressure rise, your breath quicks, your thoughts race…and none of it is super conducive to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023 But a turnaround that quick will cost you: the service is $400 for GenVisa and $799 for FastPort, and that’s not including any government fees. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2022 Down by 7 with 4:30 to go in the third quarter, Brady delivered a quick out to Edelman, who then connected with Danny Amendola for the 51-yard touchdown pass. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Dec. 2021 Hall’s adaptation cuts to the quick of the novel and transfers the shifting, unsettling quality of Larsen’s text back onto the viewer’s shoulders. New York Times, 20 Oct. 2021 Jones took the snap and fired a quick out to Henry for 6 yards and the first down. BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2021 While doing that quick of a workout might not seem worth the effort to pull on a sports bra and lace up your sneakers, there are actually a ton of compelling reasons to squeeze in a super-short session. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 11 July 2021 Strict border control, and a public quick to wear masks and take precautions after the experience of the 2003 SARS epidemic, have meant that Taiwan recorded a little more than 2,000 cases and 14 deaths. Washington Post, 12 May 2021 Speed out Once again, Washington targeted a Browns linebacker (B.J. Goodson) by throwing a quick out to running back J.D. McKissic. Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 2 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English quik, from Old English cwic; akin to Old Norse kvikr living, Latin vivus living, vivere to live, Greek bios, zōē life

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of quick was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near quick

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quick. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quick

1 of 2 adjective
1
archaic : not dead : living, alive
2
a
: fast in understanding, thinking, or learning : mentally keen
b
: reacting with speed and alertness
c
: aroused immediately and easily
quick temper
d
: fast in development or occurrence
gave a quick look
e
: marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of action or movement
quick adverb
quickly adverb
quickness noun

quick

2 of 2 noun
1
: living persons
the quick and the dead
2
: a very tender area of flesh (as under a fingernail)
3
: one's innermost feelings
hurt to the quick by the remark
4
: the very center of something : heart
the quick of the matter

Medical Definition

quick

1 of 2 adjective
1
: not dead : living, alive
2

quick

2 of 2 noun
1
quick plural : living beings
2
: a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (as that underlying a fingernail)

More from Merriam-Webster on quick

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