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

Jace and his steed climbed free, high into the sky, just long enough for American viewers to have a quick bathroom break. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 June 2026

La Roja needs quicker movement of the ball and its players, more adaptation to what the opponent is doing (Saudi Arabia is not going to play free and open after seeing what worked) and to be more ruthless. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Adverb

Adams was out with her father, husband Darren Le Gallo, and daughter when things went The Pitt real quick. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 June 2026

At the latter speed the animal’s turning radius would be 52 meters, and a 180-degree turn would take six seconds complete, far too long and much too slow to be of any use in capturing a quick-turning prey. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

Noun

Proving he wasn't flustered, Gay judged length well, left the ball well, and picked his shots, especially against dangerous New Zealand quicks Will O'Rourke and Smith. — ABC News, 18 June 2026

If Cummins is ruled out beyond the series opener, starting on November 21, Australia will need more than one answer in a five-Test series with short gaps and two senior quicks managing workloads. — Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 19 Oct. 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

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
• 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)