quick

1 of 3

adjective

ˈkwik 

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

4

a

: moving, shifting

quick mud

b

archaic : not stagnant : running, flowing

5

archaic : fiery, glowing

6

archaic : pregnant

7

obsolete

a

: pungent

b

: caustic

quickly adverb

quickness noun

quick

2 of 3

adverb

: in a quick manner

quick

3 of 3

noun

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• swift
• willing
• immediate
• ready
• rapid
• responsive
• prompt
• expeditious
• fast
• brisk

Adverb

• quickly
• fast
• rapidly
• swiftly
• soon

Noun

• heart
• soul
• mind
• bone(s)

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

The app features guest mode sessions that disappear after use as well as a hidden exit button for quick redirection if an abuser walks into the room. —Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Your tongue may be quick to lash out under the Leo moon. —Usa Today, USA Today, 27 June 2025

Adverb

So being able to channel that going forward, he’s got some of that Cam Spencer crazy competitiveness, he’s got to learn to channel it like Cam, go from cursing and slamming the ball to getting back on task quicker. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025

The air rotor creates a powerful swirl of air, while the cylinder body design means that air flows more efficiently for quicker drying and sterilization. —Olivia Campbell, Parents, 24 June 2025

Noun

His career hamstrung by bipolar disorder and stints in psychiatric hospitals, Johnston first found acclaim as an unguarded and guileless songwriter in the late ’80s with tunes that cut instantly to the emotional quick. —Grayson Haver Currin Eli Durst, New York Times, 1 May 2025

The 34-year-old won’t evade defenders with his quicks but repeatedly beats coverage off the first move and wins in traffic. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing quick

• (as) quick as a wink
• be quick on the draw
• cut (someone) to the quick
• cut to the quick
• double-quick
• fast/quick buck
• fast/quick study
• get rich quick
• have a quick wash
• in quick/rapid succession
• make a quick exit
• make short/quick/light work of
• quick as a flash
• quick assets
• quick bread
• quick-fire
• quick fix
• quick-freeze
• quick kick
• quick on the trigger
• quick on the uptake
• quick/slow off the mark
• quick temper
• quick-tempered
• quick time
• quick-witted
• the quick
• the quick and the dead

Rhymes for quick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• flick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• lick
• mic
• nick

Kids Definition

quick

1 of 2 adjective

ˈkwik 

1

archaic : not dead : living, alive

2

a

: fast in understanding, thinking, or learning : mentally keen

b

: reacting with speed and alertness

c

: aroused immediately and easily

quick temper

d

: fast in development or occurrence

gave a quick look

e

: marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of action or movement

quick adverb

quickly adverb

quickness noun

quick

2 of 2 noun

1

: living persons

the quick and the dead

2

: a very tender area of flesh (as under a fingernail)

3

: one's innermost feelings

hurt to the quick by the remark

4

: the very center of something : heart

the quick of the matter

Medical Definition

quick

1 of 2 adjective

ˈkwik 

1

: not dead : living, alive

2

: pregnant

quick

2 of 2 noun

1

quick plural : living beings

2

: a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (as that underlying a fingernail)