rapid

1 of 2

adjective

rap·​id ˈra-pəd How to pronounce rapid (audio)
: marked by a fast rate of motion, activity, succession, or occurrence
rapidly adverb
rapidness noun

rapid

2 of 2

noun

: a part of a river where the current is fast and the surface is usually broken by obstructions
usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
Choose the Right Synonym for rapid

fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity.

fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves

fast horses

and rapid to the movement itself.

rapid current

swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment

speedy delivery of mail

and may also suggest unusual velocity.

hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

Examples of rapid in a Sentence

Adjective There's been rapid growth in the number of new businesses in the town. Scientists are concerned about the rapid disappearance of the island's coral reefs. She carefully guided the boat through the rapid water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The result is a rapid burst of sound that cuts through the underwater world like a shockwave, making this tiny fish one of the loudest creatures for its size. Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 In rapid succession, we’re introduced to the team: The Bride (Indira Varma), Frankenstein (David Harbour), Dr. Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), Weasel (Sean Gunn), Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), G.I. Robot (also Gunn) and their put-upon handler in the field, Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo). Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
Head to Montgomery Whitewater to cool off with a rafting trip on a manmade rapids course that abuts the Alabama River. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 July 2024 Hit the scenic Goodwater Rim Trail, which hugs the Wedge the entire time, or come in springtime to float the San Rafael River’s class I-II rapids. Nina Kokotas Hahn, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for rapid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rapid.' 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

borrowed from French & Latin; French rapide, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin rapidus "(of water) flowing violently enough to sweep anything along in its path, swiftly moving, quick," from rapere "to seize and carry off, carry or sweep along" + -idus, adjective suffix; rapere perhaps going back to pre-Latin *rep-, secondary zero-grade from presumed *erp-, going back to Indo-European *h1rp-, zero-grade of a base *h1rep- "seize, pluck," whence also Lithuanian aprė́piu, aprė́pti "to surround, include," Albanian rjep "removes, robs," Greek ereptómenos "feeding on, devouring"

Noun

borrowed from French rapide, noun derivative of rapide, adjective, "swiftly moving, rapid entry 1"

First Known Use

Adjective

1634, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1765, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rapid was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near rapid

Cite this Entry

“Rapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapid. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rapid

1 of 2 adjective
rap·​id ˈrap-əd How to pronounce rapid (audio)
: very fast
rapidity
rə-ˈpid-ət-ē
ra-
noun
rapidly adverb
rapidness noun

rapid

2 of 2 noun
: a part of a river where the current flows fast usually over rocks
usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on rapid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!