rapid

1 of 3

adjective

rap·​id ˈra-pəd 

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

rapidly adverb

rapidness noun

rapid

2 of 3

noun (1)

: 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

rapidness

3 of 3

noun (2)

rap·​id·​ness

ˈra-pəd-nəs

plural -es

: the quality or state of being rapid : rapidity

Synonyms of rapid

Adjective

• quick
• brisk
• fast
• swift
• galloping
• speedy

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

Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

Northrop Grumman said the rapid development cycle demonstrates how collaborative manufacturing and design efforts can shorten the path from concept to deployment. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026

Noun

The upper New, which is Class I-II rapids, is more suitable for beginners. —Abby Price, Southern Living, 5 June 2026

Huge Grade Five rapids thunder through the narrow Batoka Gorge, with names like Oblivion, The Devil’s Toilet Bowl and Commercial Suicide giving you an inkling of what lies ahead. —Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

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 *r_ep-, 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 (1)

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 (1)

1765, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rapid

• in quick/rapid succession
• rapid eye movement
• rapid eye movement sleep
• rapid-fire
• rapid transit

Rhymes for rapid

• rapide
• vapid

Kids Definition

rapid

1 of 2 adjective

rap·​id ˈrap-əd 

: 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