swift

adjective

\ˈswift

Definition of swift

(Entry 1 of 5)

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

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

3 : quick to respond : ready

swift

adverb

Definition of swift (Entry 2 of 5)

: swiftly swift-flowing

swift

noun

Definition of swift (Entry 3 of 5)

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

2 : a reel for winding yarn or thread

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

Swift

biographical name (1)

\ˈswift

Definition of Swift (Entry 4 of 5)

Gustavus Franklin 1839–1903 American meatpacker

Swift

biographical name (2)

Definition of Swift (Entry 5 of 5)

Jonathan 1667–1745 English (Irish-born) satirist

Other Words from swift Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about swift

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Choose the Right Synonym for swift

Adjective

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

Examples of swift in a Sentence

Adjective

a swift and accurate response the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta

Adverb

tried to cross the swift-flowing river

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Photo: Harry How/Getty Images The swift decision to entrust him with control of the team coincided with another critical development in this classic Hollywood saga: Jeanie Buss’s own family members were plotting to overthrow her. — Ben Cohen, WSJ, "How LeBron James Was Courted by the Lakers," 2 July 2018 When Mississippi State suddenly no longer had a baseball coach after an abrupt resignation in February, right-handed commit Cole Winn made a swift and easy decision. — Stefan Stevenson, star-telegram, "High hopes: Rangers' top pick Cole Winn wants to emulate legend Nolan Ryan," 12 June 2018 On Tuesday, May 29, ABC made the swift decision to cancel the Roseanne reboot after its star Rosanne Barr went on a racist Twitter rant that compared Valerie Jarrett, a former Barack Obama aide, to an ape. — Stacey Leasca, Glamour, "Cast Members and Celebrities Are Praising the Decision to Cancel Roseanne," 29 May 2018 The president arrived at a swift decision to cancel the summit. — Author: Philip Rucker, Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, "White House commitment to summit ended as spontaneously as it began," 25 May 2018 The president arrived at a swift decision to cancel the summit. — Margaret Hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "North Korea Summit Ended Like It Started: With a Quick, Chaotic Call by Trump," 25 May 2018 Actress Molly Ringwald thanked Southwest Airlines publicly on Twitter this week, saying the swift decision to emergency land a plane saved her father's life. — Michael Mcgough, sacbee, "Actress Molly Ringwald thanks Southwest Airlines for helping save her dad's life | The Sacramento Bee," 28 Apr. 2018 The European court rarely makes swift decisions and Latvia’s Corruption Prevention Bureau, which is leading the investigation into Mr. Rimsevics, has said that the case would not be handed over to prosecutors for months. — Andrew Higgins, New York Times, "Banker Finds He Has ‘Even More Enemies Than I Thought’," 23 Apr. 2018 The modifications, which primarily ensure swift decisions are made regarding make-up dates, will be put in place by August and go into effect this fall. — J.c. Carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "FHSAA football changes get green light from athletic directors," 12 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

As a composer and bassist, Linda May Han Oh is always trying to maintain a swift and multidirectional motion without sacrificing clarity or precision. — Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, "Live Jazz: 5 April Standouts, From Andrew Cyrille to Linda May Han Oh," 2 May 2018 Buzz: Dynamic skater and puck carrier who makes a swift first pass. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings options with sixth overall pick in 2018 NHL draft," 29 Apr. 2018 The group demanded a swift and independent investigation of cases in which journalists have been targeted. — Ashok Sharma, Fox News, "Media watchdog urges India to protect journalists," 4 July 2018 The group demanded a swift and independent investigation of cases in which journalists have been targeted. — Washington Post, "Media watchdog urges India to protect journalists," 4 July 2018 Naturally, Twitter weighed in: taylor swift and j.k. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "Taylor Swift and J.K. Rowling Posed for a Selfie and Ignited an Important Debate," 25 June 2018 While taking a child from a parent is swift, the process of reconnecting them is long, legally complex and logistically challenging, a task made more difficult by bureaucratic tangles across various federal agencies. — Richard Marosi, latimes.com, "What family separation looks like: Guatemalan man is deported, while his 6-year-old daughter remains behind in New York City," 21 June 2018 So, despite Helmchen’s gradations of touch, tone and color, his swift, clean interpretations suggested the pieces had been pretty much unencumbered by extramusical associations. — Alan Artner, chicagotribune.com, "German pianist Martin Helmchen closes Piano Series with Orchestra Hall recital," 11 June 2018 The truth was that Bobby’s decision to challenge the president was anything but swift and calculated. — Larry Tye, BostonGlobe.com, "An open letter to Joe Kennedy III: Here’s how to run for president," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swift.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.