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

Like the Solo3, the quick charge function here will give you an hour of playback time in just five minutes. — Jacob Krol, CNN Underscored, "Save big on Beats Solo3 and Powerbeats 3," 11 July 2019 Lots of salespeople make outlandish claims, and the successful ones have a quick response for any interrogation. — Ramona Sentinel, "Ask Mr. Marketing: Making audiences work for you," 6 July 2019 Additionally, López Obrador has been quick to slander journalists and activists who don’t support his agenda. — Madeleine Wattenbarger, The New Republic, "Did the Mexican People Really Win?," 5 July 2019 Philadelphia was the interim capital as Washington, D.C., was being readied; Lancaster had hosted the Continental Congress for a quick, on-the-run session during the revolution. — CBS News, "How presidents through the years have celebrated July 4th," 4 July 2019 When foreign policy was raised, Sanders was quick to point out his opposition to the Iraq War. — Tovin Lapan, Fortune, "Joe Biden vs. Bernie Sanders: Second Debate Puts Rivals on Full Display," 28 June 2019 Guests are quick to locate the chocolate- brown napping nook on lazy afternoons. — Emma Bazilian, House Beautiful, "This Sonoma Home Has THE Most Genius Napping Nook," 28 June 2019 Regulators in Europe and Australia, for example, were quicker to identify the social and economic costs of the data collected by these massive tech companies and their use of market power. — Amanda Lotz, The Conversation, "Amazon, Google and Facebook warrant antitrust scrutiny for many reasons – not just because they’re large," 24 June 2019 Totten is quick to point out that not all bills were based on the handbook. — USA Today, "COPY, PASTE, LEGISLATE Progressives borrow strategy from anti-abortion groups: Use copycat legislation," 20 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Things got loud and feisty real quick during the second night of the Democratic debate that featured 10 of the 24 presidential candidates eying the White House in 2020. — Christal Hayes, USA TODAY, "'That little girl is me': Harris attacks Biden in key debate moment. Here are 4 other takeaways," 27 June 2019 And the news cycle itself is so quick-moving and chaotic that every important story, regardless of its subject, is metabolized too fast. — Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, "E. Jean Carroll’s Accusation Against Donald Trump, and the Raising, and Lowering, of the Bar," 25 June 2019 The one-time token numbers are short-lived, but they can still be obtained by quick-moving attackers who enter credentials into a real Google account immediately after a target enters them in to a look-alike phishing site. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "I’ll be passing on Google’s new 2fa for logins on iPhones and iPads. Here’s why," 12 June 2019 The finance manager was efficient and the negotiations went quick. — Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, "Used-car nightmare: Arizona dealer didn't pay off trades or transfer title to buyers," 17 June 2019 We’ve seen conversations between partners go left real quick between partners when the tone is off. — The Matchmaking Duo, Essence, "Tired Of The 'What Are We' Talk? Six Ways To Avoid The Dreaded 'Situationship'," 6 June 2019 But doctors are also quick to note that influenza tests are often inaccurate. — National Geographic, "Flu outbreak rages near Everest base camp," 30 Apr. 2019 Pancake batter needs quick, instant heat to properly rise and develop a perfect brown color. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "How to Make Perfect Homemade Pancakes in 7 Easy Steps," 27 Mar. 2019 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Six San Francisco supervisors have put their backing behind a striking vision of mental health care in in the city: quick, free and 24/7 access to psychiatrists and pharmacists to any city resident with or without insurance. — Taylor Kate Brown, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: How much will free mental health care for all cost San Francisco?," 11 June 2019 Is the quick of friendship here, in finding the same things lastingly funny? — Benjamin Taylor, Harper's magazine, "Exit Ghost," 10 Mar. 2019 One quick buzz in the blender later, and McConnell’s masterpiece was complete. — Andrew Daniels, Popular Mechanics, "This Mad Science Experiment Is the Key to the Perfect Mint Julep," 3 May 2019 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

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.