quick

adjective

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\ 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

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 But the board’s affirmation of Facebook’s removal of the January 6 posts was quick and anodyne. — Steven Levy, Wired, "Oversight Board to Facebook: We’re Not Going to Do Your Dirty Work," 5 May 2021 The website We-ha.com reported this week that the building would be a two-story facility for Hartford HealthCare, and reaction on a West Hartford community page on Facebook was quick and extensive. — Don Stacom, courant.com, "Medical office building to replace vacant funeral home in West Hartford," 5 May 2021 ECGs are quick and painless, experts say, with a dozen stickers attached to the patient’s chest, connecting electrodes to the machine that records the heart’s electrical signals. — Leslie Postal, orlandosentinel.com, "‘It saves lives’: OCPS students must get ECGs to play sports, school board decides," 4 May 2021 But the complex global supply chains involved in chip manufacturing do not lend themselves to quick or easy solutions to the current supply problems, leaving Mr. Biden with little apparent power to mitigate the shortage in the near term. — New York Times, "Widespread Commodity Shortages Raise Inflation Fears," 3 May 2021 Creating a tool kit of quick and lasting solutions is next. — Nykia Spradley, Allure, "7 At-Home Solutions For Migraine Relief," 3 May 2021 For 19-year-old Sage Steffen, a Massachusetts resident who has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, DiPaola’s videos are a quick and easy way to stay informed. — Washington Post, "How TikTok personalities are making a name for themselves by delivering news to Gen Z," 3 May 2021 Stove provided Auburn with both a quick and reliable option. — Giana Han, al, "Eli Stove pursues NFL dreams by signing as undrafted free agent," 1 May 2021 The 5-9, 178-pound speedster can threaten defenses deep while still making a living underneath with his quick and reliable hands. — Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, "NFL draft best available players on Day 2: Azeez Ojulari, Christian Barmore among top options," 30 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Singtex, a Taiwanese textile company, has created S. Café, a quick-dry polyester yarn made with coffee grounds that is said to offer natural anti-odor qualities and UV protection. — New York Times, "Fabrics From Your Fridge," 22 Apr. 2021 As if to underscore the quick-moving pace and national scope of the issue of race and police brutality, the rally was held as two pieces of news about shootings in other states broke. — Charles J. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Protesters blast instruments, circle City Hall in push for civilian police oversight referendum," 21 Apr. 2021 This is a quick-moving snowfall event, lasting 3-6 hours in most locations. — Jackson Dill And Monica Garrett, CNN, "Old Man Winter to bring unusual late-season snow and record cold this week," 19 Apr. 2021 Her pieces get snatched up quick by one of her 43,000 Instagram followers. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "These Tops Are Made from Tea Towels—And They Sell Out Fast," 15 Apr. 2021 Everlane’s new quick-drying swim collection features modern design elements to pick and choose from, like tie-front, square-, and V-neck bikini tops and one-pieces, plus high-waist and classic hipster brief styles. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "Get Ready For Everlane’s First-Ever Swim Collection," 15 Apr. 2021 In a Facebook post, NEMO shared images of the aftermath of one pyroclastic flow, which is a quick-moving slide of hot gas and rocks that follows a volcanic eruption. — NBC News, "'Huge' explosion rocks St. Vincent as volcano keeps erupting," 12 Apr. 2021 With quick-moving storms, precipitation will turn out near normal. — Meghan Evans, Scientific American, "Unusual Warmth Expected to Fuel Extreme Weather in the U.S.," 13 Mar. 2012 In addition to being comfortable, some pieces are designed with specific benefits, like compression leggings or quick-dry tops, to support athletes through intense workouts. — Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, "Best fitness gifts for women," 6 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Speed out Once again, Washington targeted a Browns linebacker (B.J. Goodson) by throwing a quick out to running back J.D. McKissic. — Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, "Why the Browns defense must be ready to run with the Cowboys' fast offense: Film review," 2 Oct. 2020 Cutting to our cultural quick is the show’s spin on a typical U.S. response to a nationwide problem: anger, paranoia and plenty of ulterior motives looking to make use of each. — Jacob Oller, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago’s Gillian Flynn wanted to create an American dystopia for ‘Utopia.’ America did her one better.," 25 Sep. 2020 Nothing this quick comes any cheaper-except GMC's Syclone pickup. — Arthur St. Antoine, Car and Driver, "Tested: 1992 GMC Typhoon," 19 May 2020 Pantoni also retweeted this from an OSU staffer, while receivers coach Brian Hartline retweeted another staffer as the Buckeyes orchestrated a quick and calculated push aimed at ... who exactly? — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland, "Ohio State football will prosper more than any program with athletes making endorsement money," 29 Apr. 2020 Because McKinney possesses a lightning-quick first step and trusts his instincts, his trash-talking opportunities came often in 2019. — cleveland, "NFL Draft 2020: Top safeties who could help the Cleveland Browns secondary -- Film Review," 6 Feb. 2020 Reinhardt’s reputation for cutting to the quick of the issues in U.S. healthcare reform is only enhanced. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: A brilliant economist diagnoses the U.S. healthcare system — from beyond the grave," 22 Oct. 2019 Cassidy’s mantra, since taking over, has emphasized a mobile defensive corps able to help trigger quick rushes up ice. — BostonGlobe.com, "Slow walks back are not encouraged in today’s 31-team NHL. Contrary to the St. Louis Blues’ unprecedented turnaround last season, a stunning reversal from midseason chumps to springtime champs, poor starts in October are generally punished by quick and disappointing endings.," 28 Sep. 2019 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

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.

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Last Updated

7 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quick. Accessed 10 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for quick

quick

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of quick

(Entry 1 of 2)

: done or happening in a short amount of time

: fast in thinking, learning, or understanding

: fast in moving or reacting

quick

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of quick (Entry 2 of 2)

informal : in a fast or quick manner

See the full definition for quick in the English Language Learners Dictionary

quick

adjective

\ ˈkwik

quicker; quickest

Kids Definition of quick

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

quick

noun

Kids Definition of quick (Entry 2 of 3)

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.

quick

adverb

quicker; quickest

Kids Definition of quick (Entry 3 of 3)

: in a quick manner : fast Come quick!

Choose the Right Synonym for quick

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.