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1

swift

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adjective \ˈswift\

Definition of swift

  1. 1 :  moving or capable of moving with great speed a swift runner

  2. 2 :  occurring suddenly or within a very short time a swift transition

  3. 3 :  quick to respond :  ready

See swift defined for English-language learners

See swift defined for kids

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Examples of swift in a Sentence

  1. a swift and accurate response

  2. the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta

Origin and Etymology of swift

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English swīfan to revolve — more at swivel


First Known Use: before 12th century

swift Synonyms

Synonyms
blistering, breakneck, breathless, brisk, dizzy, fleet, fleet-footed, flying, galloping, hasty, hot, lightning, nippy, quick, rapid, rapid-fire, rattling, snappy, speedy, splitting, fast, whirlwind, zippy
Antonyms
slow
Related Words
expeditious, prompt, ready; accelerated, hastened, hurried, quickened, rushed; breathtaking; energetic, strenuous, strong, vigorous; high-speed; rush; ultrafast, ultrarapid
Near Antonyms
crawling, dallying, dawdling, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, languid, lingering, plodding, poking, poky (or pokey), slowish, sluggish, unhurried; deliberate, leisurely, measured; dilatory, late, tardy; ultraslow

Synonym Discussion of swift

fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves fast horses and rapid to the movement itself. rapid current swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement. returned the ball with one swift stroke fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness. fleet runners quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time. a quick wit speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment speedy delivery of mail and may also suggest unusual velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness. a hasty inspection expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment. the expeditious handling of an order
2

swift

adverb

Definition of swift

  1. :  swiftly swift-flowing

Examples of swift in a Sentence

  1. tried to cross the swift-flowing river

14th Century

First Known Use of swift

14th century

swift Synonyms

Synonyms
apace, briskly, chop-chop, double-quick, fleetly, full tilt, hastily, hell-for-leather, hot, lickety-split, posthaste, presto, pronto, quick, quickly, rapidly, snappily, soon, speedily, fast, swiftly
Antonyms
slow, slowly
Related Words
immediately, promptly, readily; impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly; abruptly, suddenly; energetically, vigorously
Near Antonyms
laggardly, lingeringly, ploddingly, sluggishly; deliberately, leisurely; belatedly, delinquently, tardily
3

swift

noun

Definition of swift

  1. 1 :  any of several lizards (especially of the genus Sceloporus) that run swiftly

  2. 2 :  a reel for winding yarn or thread

  3. 3 :  any of numerous small plainly colored birds (family Apodidae) that are related to the hummingbirds but superficially much resemble swallows

See swift defined for English-language learners

15th Century

First Known Use of swift

15th century

Swift

play
biographical name \ˈswift\

Definition of Swift

  1. Gustavus Franklin 1839–1903 American meatpacker

Swift

biographical name

Definition of Swift

  1. Jonathan 1667–1745 English (Irish-born) satirist

Swiftian

play \ˈswif-tē-ən\ adjective

SWIFT Defined for English Language Learners

1

swift

play
adjective \ˈswift\

Definition of swift for English Language Learners

  • : happening or done quickly or immediately

  • : moving or able to move very fast

  • : smart or intelligent

3

swift

noun

Definition of swift for English Language Learners

  • : a small bird that has long, narrow wings

SWIFT Defined for Kids

1

swift

play
adjective \ˈswift\

Definition of swift for Students

swifter

;

swiftest

  1. 1 :  moving or capable of moving with great speed a swift river a swift runner

  2. 2 :  occurring suddenly a swift kick a swift descent

swiftly

adverb

swiftness

noun
2

swift

play
adverb

Definition of swift for Students

  1. :  in a swift manner I crossed a swift-flowing river.

3

swift

play
noun

Definition of swift for Students

  1. :  a small usually black bird that is related to the hummingbirds but looks like a swallow

Learn More about swift

  1. See words that rhyme with swift Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swift Spanish Central: Translation of swift Nglish: Translation of swift for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of swift for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swift

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Examples: swift in a Sentence
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