quick

1 of 4

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 4

adverb

: in a quick manner

quick

3 of 4

noun (1)

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

quickness

4 of 4

noun (2)

quick·​ness

ˈkwiknə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being quick

Synonyms of quick

Adjective

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

Adverb

• quickly
• fast
• rapidly
• swiftly
• soon

Noun (1)

• 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 (1)

that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Condition and period-specific marks also impact value, so do a quick search to see if your grandma cooked her bacon in a treasure. — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026

Higher rates can still lift net interest income as securities reprice at higher yields, but BNY’s institutional depositors are also quicker to demand higher rates, counteracting some of the benefit. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Pennsylvania State Police makes that possible quicker than most police departments. — Josh Taylor, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Because of their small size, the little dots of pasta cooked up quicker than the standard ones, which means dinner was ready in no time. — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Noun

The quartet of quicks dovetail well as a unit, and their success is as a collective. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The frontline quicks will be supported by veteran offspinner Nathan Lyon and allrounders Green and Beau Webster. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

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

Noun (2)

Middle English quiknesse, from quik, quike quick + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

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/in the flash of an eye
• 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)