quick

adjective

\ ˈkwik

Definition of quick

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

4a : moving, shifting quick mud

b archaic : not stagnant : running, flowing

5 archaic : fiery, glowing

6 archaic : pregnant

7 obsolete

a : pungent

b : caustic

quick

adverb

Definition of quick (Entry 2 of 3)

: in a quick manner

quick

noun

Definition of quick (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from quick Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about quick

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Choose the Right Synonym for quick

Adjective

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

Adjective

quick, prompt, and ready mean able to respond right away. quick is used when the response is immediate and often when the ability is part of a person's nature. He has quick reflexes. prompt is used when the ability to respond right away is the product of training and discipline. The store gives prompt service. ready is used when the response comes easy or is smooth. He always had a ready answer to every question.

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

For a quick, delicious treat, slice a citrus fruit like a grapefruit in half, sprinkle it with coarse sugar, and blast it with a blow torch till the surface is caramelized, crunchy, and slightly black and brown in spots. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "My Cooking Blow Torch Is My New Favorite Kitchen Tool," 28 Mar. 2019 Oculus even described using the Rift S with a laptop, picking up the laptop, moving to another room, and resuming play within seconds—after a quick Guardian setup, of course. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "Hands-on: The $399 Oculus Rift S kicks off the next gen of PC-based VR by appealing to the masses," 20 Mar. 2019 The on-rails tutorial missions were a bit of a slog, and the game’s ponderous movement felt needlessly plodding compared to the quick, tight controls of other 2018 games. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Ars Technica’s best games of 2018," 24 Dec. 2018 Last week, the royal family was quick to issue their condolences in the wake of the attack. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Made a Somber Visit to New Zealand House Today," 19 Mar. 2019 The Maldives Lindsey WallaceLinara TravelHe knows which resorts have the best service and which offer the quickest access to snorkeling in the United Nations–protected Hanifaru Bay. — Paul Brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "2018 Top Travel Specialists We Trust," 19 Oct. 2018 In the quick online snippet, shared by husband Mike Fisher, Carrie wears a Bebe au Lait cotton nursing cover while balancing Jacob in one hand and a yellow balloon in the other. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher Share First Video of Their Life With Baby Jacob," 3 Mar. 2019 Other membership perks include priority returns, quicker reservations, and earned points for free rental days. — Shelby Deering, Good Housekeeping, "6 Rental Car Tips That'll Save You Time and Money on Your Next Family Trip," 1 Mar. 2019 Overall, this circuit can make a great quick, standalone core workout, or it can be mixed in with leg work, Oprea says. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "Strengthen Your Core With This 5-Move Workout From Carrie Underwood’s Trainer," 29 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

It's packed with drama, horror, humor, and lots of little hints that flash by in quick-cut moments. — Marci Robin, Allure, "The Stranger Things 3 Trailer Just Dropped, and Eleven Is Wearing Hopper’s Daughter’s Hair Tie," 21 Mar. 2019 And real quick, does this part go on the podcast too? — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Full Q&A: Ezra Klein and Kara Swisher on the future of journalism," 12 Dec. 2018 Dean Jones can be seen running from the pit to the car, helping to get Mike out of the car as quick as possible. — Crystal Hill, miamiherald, "Father pulled son from burning car during race, video shows. That broke NASCAR rules," 21 June 2018 But Omar’s quick thumbs also have caused problems for herself and Democratic leadership. — Amy Forliti, The Seattle Times, "Twitter dustup, apology not firsts for Minnesota Rep. Omar," 12 Feb. 2019 Are some pundits quick to assume Kavanaugh is lying when the judge says no such assault happened 36 years ago? — Fox News, "Media's Kavanaugh spectacle," 24 Sep. 2018 Boston cut Cleveland’s lead to 100-93 in the fourth quarter with 4:29 remaining, but quick back-to-back buckets at the rim by Tristan Thompson and James extended the Cavs’ lead to 104-93 with 3:31 left. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "LeBron James scores 44 as Cavs hold off feisty Celtics to even series 2-2," 21 May 2018 Real quick, the goal of Manny’s is to create a central place for people to become better informed and more involved citizens. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Full Q&A: Ezra Klein and Kara Swisher on the future of journalism," 12 Dec. 2018 So the internet and what things are on a screen are quick-cut, nonlinear, discontinuous, and flat. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Eighth Grade director Bo Burnham on what most movies get wrong about the internet," 25 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Spencer Stouffer, of Hilton Head Island, owns one of three in South Carolina, and gave us more than a peek at the lightning-quick (0 to 60 in under 4 seconds), state-of-the-art electric car. — Lisa Gutierrez, kansascity, "Elon Musk accused of stealing farting unicorn artwork after artist raises a stink," 29 June 2018 The site is bordered by the Frazee retail center to the east, the Orange Garden apartments to the south and an automotive quick-lube business to the west. — Steve Dreyer, Pomerado News, "Old bank to make way for dialysis center," 6 June 2018 The strong, but lightning-quick, 5-2 forward finished her Porkers career with 68 goals and 49 assists. — BostonGlobe.com, "2017-18 Field Hockey All-Scholastics," 7 May 2018 The strong, but lightning-quick, 5-2 forward finished her Porkers career with 68 goals and 49 assists. — BostonGlobe.com, "2017-18 Field Hockey All-Scholastics," 7 May 2018 The strong, but lightning-quick, 5-2 forward finished her Porkers career with 68 goals and 49 assists. — BostonGlobe.com, "2017-18 Field Hockey All-Scholastics," 6 May 2018 The strong, but lightning-quick, 5-2 forward finished her Porkers career with 68 goals and 49 assists. — BostonGlobe.com, "2017-18 Field Hockey All-Scholastics," 21 Apr. 2018 Some people are fast after 40 meters and some have quick starts. — Ted Dunnam, Houston Chronicle, "Area track: Local athletes shine in star-studded meet," 20 Apr. 2018 The spillway is the reservoir's primary tool for flushing out massive amounts of water in a quick, controlled way. — Joseph Serna, latimes.com, "Atmospheric river brings impressive rain, risk of flooded rivers and test of Oroville Dam's spillway," 7 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.