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quick

play
adjective \ ˈkwik \

Definition of quick

1 :not dead :living, alive
2 :acting or capable of acting with speed: such as
a (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
b (1) :fast in development or occurrence
  • a quick succession of events
(2) :done or taking place with rapidity
  • gave them a quick look
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
3 a archaic :not stagnant :running, flowing
b :moving, shifting
  • quick mud
4 archaic :fiery, glowing
5 obsolete
a :pungent
b :caustic
6 archaic :pregnant
7 :having a sharp angle
  • a quick turn in the road
—

quickly

adverb
—

quickness

noun

See quick defined for English-language learners

See quick defined for kids

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Examples of quick in a Sentence

  1. They had a quick drink at the bar.

  2. She took a quick shower.

  3. She gave him a quick kiss.

  4. You're back already? That was quick!

  5. We made a quick decision, but it turned out to be a good one.

  6. He got a quick reply to his inquiry.

  7. His quick thinking allowed him to escape trouble.

  8. Her friends admired her quick wit.

  9. He walked with quick steps.

  10. She has quick, agile hands.

Recent Examples of quick from the Web

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.

Origin and Etymology of quick

Middle English quik, from Old English cwic; akin to Old Norse kvikr living, Latin vivus living, vivere to live, Greek bios, zōē life

quick Synonyms

Synonyms
alacritous, alert, expeditious, prompt, ready, willing
Antonyms
airheaded, birdbrained, boneheaded, brain-dead, brainless, bubbleheaded, chuckleheaded, dense, dim, dim-witted, doltish, dopey (also dopy), dorky [slang], dull, dumb, dunderheaded, empty-headed, fatuous, gormless [chiefly British], half-witted, knuckleheaded, lamebrain (or lamebrained), lunkheaded, mindless, obtuse, opaque, pinheaded, senseless, simple, slow, slow-witted, soft, softheaded, stupid, thick, thickheaded, thick-witted, unbrilliant, unintelligent, unsmart, vacuous, weak-minded, witless
Related Words
receptive, responsive; immediate, instant, instantaneous, summary; breakneck, breathless, brisk, fast, fleet, fleet-footed, hit-and-run, lightning, rapid, rapid-fire, rattling, snappy, speedy, swift, whirlwind; eager, keen, sharp; apt, clever, , quick-witted, ready-witted, sharp-witted, smart
Near Antonyms
unresponsive; crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, lazy, lazyish, leisurely, logy (also loggy), poking, poky (or pokey), slothful, slow, slowish, sluggish, tardy, unhurried; dormant, idle, inactive, inert

Synonym Discussion of quick

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

2

quick

noun

Definition of quick

1 quick plural :living beings
2
[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
3 archaic :life 11

See quick defined for English-language learners

Examples of quick in a Sentence

  1. that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Recent Examples of quick from the Web

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.

First Known Use of quick

before 12th century

quick Synonyms

Synonyms
belly, blood, bone (s), bosom, breast, gut, heart, heartstrings, inner space, inside, core, soul
Related Words
conscience, mind
3

quick

adverb

Definition of quick

:in a quick manner

See quick defined for English-language learners

Examples of quick in a Sentence

  1. a scheme to get rich quick

  2. I got used to living with a roommate pretty quick.

  3. I can't run any quicker.

Recent Examples of quick from the Web

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.

First Known Use of quick

14th century

quick Synonyms

Synonyms
apace, briskly, chop-chop, double-quick, fleetly, full tilt, hastily, hell-for-leather, hot, lickety-split, posthaste, presto, pronto, fast, quickly, rapidly, snappily, soon, speedily, swift, swiftly
Antonyms
slow, slowly
Related Words
immediately, promptly, readily; impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly; abruptly, suddenly; energetically, vigorously
Near Antonyms
laggardly, lingeringly, ploddingly, sluggishly; deliberately, leisurely; belatedly, delinquently, tardily

QUICK Defined for English Language Learners

quick

play
adjective

Definition of quick for English Language Learners

  • : done or happening in a short amount of time

  • : fast in thinking, learning, or understanding

  • : fast in moving or reacting

quick

adverb

Definition of quick for English Language Learners

  • : in a fast or quick manner

QUICK Defined for Kids

1

quick

play
adjective \ ˈkwik \

Definition of quick for Students

quicker; quickest
1 :done or taking place in a very short period of time
  • a quick look
  • a quick nap
2 :very swift :speedy
  • quick steps
3 :fast in learning or understanding :mentally alert
  • a quick mind
4 :easily stirred up
  • a quick temper
—

quickly

adverb
  • I ate quickly.
—

quickness

noun

History for quick

The word quick first meant “alive.” Most animals that are alive can move and run, so quick came to mean “moving” or “running.” From this sense came the sense of quick that is most familiar today: “fast.” New senses have come from this common sense. Quick can mean “alert,” which is “fast in understanding,” or “reacting fast.”

Synonym Discussion of quick

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.
2

quick

noun

Definition of quick for Students

1 :a very tender area of flesh (as under a fingernail)
2 :someone's innermost feelings
  • She was hurt to the quick by the remark.
3

quick

adverb

Definition of quick for Students

quicker; quickest
:in a quick manner :fast Come quick!

Medical Dictionary

1

quick

play
adjective \ ˈkwik \

medical Definition of quick

1 :not dead :living, alive
2 :pregnant
2

quick

noun

medical Definition of quick

1 quick plural :living beings
2 :a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (as that underlying a fingernail)

Learn More about quick

  1. See words that rhyme with quick Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for quick Spanish Central: Translation of quick Nglish: Translation of quick for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of quick for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quick

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Examples: quick in a Sentence