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 Like clockwork, many people have been quick to assume that those involved in the attack were either rural white working class people, or antifascists pretending to be Trump supporters. — Erin Corbett, refinery29.com, "The Rioters Weren’t All “Blue Collar MAGA” — They Were CEOs, Lawyers, & Police Officers," 8 Jan. 2021 Archie's big podcast debut was quick, but still undeniably cute. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Does Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Son Archie Have an American Accent?," 31 Dec. 2020 Builders are making quick work of tearing down older houses in that area to put up new top-of-the-market homes. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "North Dallas builder buys an entire block of teardowns for a new luxury neighborhood," 28 Dec. 2020 Bay’s comfort in the snow was evident as the Packers made quick work of Tennessee. — New York Times, "What We Learned From Week 16 of the N.F.L. Season," 27 Dec. 2020 The bomb tore through the neighborhood in the predawn hours, yet only injured three people thanks to the officers' quick work and bravery, officials said. — Eric Levenson, CNN, "These six Nashville police officers evacuated residents moments before motor home exploded," 26 Dec. 2020 The turnaround is quick, but the defending champs are in prime position to contend for a second consecutive title. — Matt Eppers, USA TODAY, "NBA opening night: Everything to know for Nets vs. Warriors and Lakers vs. Clippers," 23 Dec. 2020 The service is quick, often offering loan details in as little as one business day. — Allen Foster, chicagotribune.com, "The best student loan refinancing," 22 Dec. 2020 But the Chargers made quick work of their final possession in the first half and took a 17-10 lead into the locker room after Herbert picked apart Las Vegas’ decimated secondary with identical consecutive plays. — W.g. Ramirez, orlandosentinel.com, "Raiders lose QB Carr, fall in overtime to Chargers and Herbert," 18 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb No telling if the reshuffle works, or if GM Don Sweeney has to rush out to Home Depot for some quick-dry blue-line spackle prior to the April 12 trade deadline. — Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, "For openers, can the Bruins patch together a new defense?," 13 Jan. 2021 Huddling around the wood stove might be cozy and possibly even romantic, but the romance wears off real quick when the bedroom sheets are icy and everyone’s got popsicle toes. — The Editors, Field & Stream, "Three Reasons You Need a Wood Stove Fan," 19 Sep. 2019 The idea is to apply quick, targeted amounts of pain—digging a thumb into a sensitive pressure point, twisting a wrist, stunning with a Taser—to force a person to follow orders. — Abbie Vansickle And Challen Stephens, USA TODAY, "Police inflict painful dog bites to get people to obey - even when they're already obeying," 17 Dec. 2020 The idea is to apply quick, targeted amounts of pain—digging a thumb into a sensitive pressure point, twisting a wrist, stunning with a Taser—to force a person to follow orders. — al, "Police use pain to make people obey. But critics say dog bites go too far.," 14 Dec. 2020 Unattached to the seat or the car itself, the HANS moves with the driver, providing safety yet enough flexibility for a driver to look around and spot oncoming hazards on the lightning-quick racetrack. — Rachel Lance, Wired, "A Race Car Crash From Hell—and the Science That Saved Its Driver," 6 Dec. 2020 But, hey, watching sourdough rise can get really dull real quick. — Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times, "How a bawdy online game is helping friends stay connected during the pandemic," 28 Nov. 2020 Expect his workload to significantly increase as a 6-2 guard who is lightning quick off the dribble. — Matt Goul, cleveland, "Ohio State commit Malaki Branham, Mentor’s Luke Chicone lead top 50 players to watch: 2020-21 boys basketball preview," 27 Nov. 2020 Paperless technology was already the norm inside quick-serve restaurants where customers use menu boards and kiosk ordering systems. — Kathy Stephenson, The Salt Lake Tribune, "It’s the end of paper menus, as Utah restaurants turn digital," 26 Nov. 2020 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

19 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quick. Accessed 24 Jan. 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.