rapid

¹rap·id

adj \ˈra-pəd\

Definition of RAPID

: marked by a fast rate of motion, activity, succession, or occurrence

— rap·id·ly adverb

— rap·id·ness noun

Examples of RAPID

1. There's been rapid growth in the number of new businesses in the town.
2. Scientists are concerned about the rapid disappearance of the island's coral reefs.
3. She carefully guided the boat through the rapid water.

Origin of RAPID

Latin rapidus seizing, sweeping, rapid, from rapere to seize, sweep away; akin to Lithuanian aprėpti to embrace

First Known Use: 1634

Related to RAPID

Synonyms: blistering, breakneck, breathless, brisk, dizzy, fleet, fleet-footed, flying, galloping, hasty, hot, lightning, nippy, quick, fast, rapid-fire, rattling, snappy, speedy, splitting, swift, whirlwind, zippy

Antonyms: slow

Related Words: expeditious, prompt, ready; accelerated, hastened, hurried, quickened, rushed; breathtaking; energetic, strenuous, strong, vigorous; high-speed; rush; ultrafast, ultrarapid

Near Antonyms: crawling, dallying, dawdling, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, languid, lingering, plodding, poking, poky (or pokey), slowish, sluggish, unhurried; deliberate, leisurely, measured; dilatory, late, tardy; ultraslow

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Rhymes with RAPID

sapid, vapid