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
6
archaic
: pregnant
quickly
adverb
quickness
noun
: in a quick manner
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
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
USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Even just a quick glance at the sun can leave your eyes vulnerable to damage.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Mama’s Snack Stop is another quick service stand serving classic poolside eats like chicken tenders and coconut shrimp.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
Advertisement The 34-year-old actor’s high-profile domestic violence case brought his quick ascent to Hollywood stardom to a screeching halt as studios shelved upcoming film projects starring Majors, publicity and management firms reportedly dropped the actor and he was cut from ad campaigns.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
This quick climber requires shearing to keep it looking tidy when it's attached to walls and fences.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
Add natural cues—like finishing your first coffee, taking a quick work break, or using the restroom—as prompters to stop and drink some water.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Both types are usually linked to a quick increase in activity or drastic change in it.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 8 Apr. 2024
Maryland transportation officials had asked for $60 million in federal emergency relief funds on Thursday morning and Gov. Wes Moore (D) had earlier declared a state of emergency, making Maryland eligible for quick access to hundreds of millions of dollars in aid.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Robert James and, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Look for flats adjacent to the main lake, particularly on the northern side, which will warm up quicker.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
The goal of which is to raise the total amount of calories burned to lose weight quicker.
—Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
And fattier nuts, like macadamia or Brazil nuts, will oxidize quicker than leaner almonds.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2024
Amazon began offering loans of thousands of dollars to select U.S.-based sellers back in 2011, providing funds quicker than a typical bank might and automatically deducting repayments from a merchant’s Amazon account.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024
However, the protection offered by any vaccine disappears even quicker in older people because their immune systems don’t respond as well.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024
Processing the floor quicker will be a necessity for Miller to take that next-level leap.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024
That’s by no means fast but still quicker than the HR-V, which packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and took more than 10 seconds to reach the same speed.
—Alex Nishimoto, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024
Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023
But a turnaround that quick will cost you: the service is $400 for GenVisa and $799 for FastPort, and that’s not including any government fees.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2022
Down by 7 with 4:30 to go in the third quarter, Brady delivered a quick out to Edelman, who then connected with Danny Amendola for the 51-yard touchdown pass.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Dec. 2021
Hall’s adaptation cuts to the quick of the novel and transfers the shifting, unsettling quality of Larsen’s text back onto the viewer’s shoulders.
—New York Times, 20 Oct. 2021
Jones took the snap and fired a quick out to Henry for 6 yards and the first down.
—BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2021
While doing that quick of a workout might not seem worth the effort to pull on a sports bra and lace up your sneakers, there are actually a ton of compelling reasons to squeeze in a super-short session.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 11 July 2021
Strict border control, and a public quick to wear masks and take precautions after the experience of the 2003 SARS epidemic, have meant that Taiwan recorded a little more than 2,000 cases and 14 deaths.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2021
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, 2 Oct. 2020
Adjective
The ticket contained five quick pick plays for the March 22 drawing − one which which matched all of the five winning numbers (03, 08, 31, 35, 44).
—USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Even just a quick glance at the sun can leave your eyes vulnerable to damage.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Mama’s Snack Stop is another quick service stand serving classic poolside eats like chicken tenders and coconut shrimp.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
Advertisement The 34-year-old actor’s high-profile domestic violence case brought his quick ascent to Hollywood stardom to a screeching halt as studios shelved upcoming film projects starring Majors, publicity and management firms reportedly dropped the actor and he was cut from ad campaigns.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
This quick climber requires shearing to keep it looking tidy when it's attached to walls and fences.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
Add natural cues—like finishing your first coffee, taking a quick work break, or using the restroom—as prompters to stop and drink some water.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Both types are usually linked to a quick increase in activity or drastic change in it.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 8 Apr. 2024
Maryland transportation officials had asked for $60 million in federal emergency relief funds on Thursday morning and Gov. Wes Moore (D) had earlier declared a state of emergency, making Maryland eligible for quick access to hundreds of millions of dollars in aid.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Adverb
These suppressants aid in achieving a feeling of fullness quicker, thereby reducing calorie consumption.
—Robert James and, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Look for flats adjacent to the main lake, particularly on the northern side, which will warm up quicker.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
The goal of which is to raise the total amount of calories burned to lose weight quicker.
—Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
And fattier nuts, like macadamia or Brazil nuts, will oxidize quicker than leaner almonds.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2024
Amazon began offering loans of thousands of dollars to select U.S.-based sellers back in 2011, providing funds quicker than a typical bank might and automatically deducting repayments from a merchant’s Amazon account.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024
However, the protection offered by any vaccine disappears even quicker in older people because their immune systems don’t respond as well.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024
Processing the floor quicker will be a necessity for Miller to take that next-level leap.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024
That’s by no means fast but still quicker than the HR-V, which packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and took more than 10 seconds to reach the same speed.
—Alex Nishimoto, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
Stress hormones flood your system, making your heart pound, your blood pressure rise, your breath quicks, your thoughts race…and none of it is super conducive to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
—Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023
But a turnaround that quick will cost you: the service is $400 for GenVisa and $799 for FastPort, and that’s not including any government fees.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2022
Down by 7 with 4:30 to go in the third quarter, Brady delivered a quick out to Edelman, who then connected with Danny Amendola for the 51-yard touchdown pass.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Dec. 2021
Hall’s adaptation cuts to the quick of the novel and transfers the shifting, unsettling quality of Larsen’s text back onto the viewer’s shoulders.
—New York Times, 20 Oct. 2021
Jones took the snap and fired a quick out to Henry for 6 yards and the first down.
—BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2021
While doing that quick of a workout might not seem worth the effort to pull on a sports bra and lace up your sneakers, there are actually a ton of compelling reasons to squeeze in a super-short session.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 11 July 2021
Strict border control, and a public quick to wear masks and take precautions after the experience of the 2003 SARS epidemic, have meant that Taiwan recorded a little more than 2,000 cases and 14 deaths.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2021
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, 2 Oct. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to quick
Dictionary Entries Near quick
Cite this Entry
“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quick. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quick
1 of 2 adjective2
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 noun1
: 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
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