swift

1 of 3

adjective

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

2 of 3

adverb

: swiftly
swift-flowing

swift

3 of 3

noun

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
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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
But Bogotá got a slow start to implementing those changes compared with the swift pace by which violent outfits moved into the territories relinquished by the FARC. Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024 With a single swift motion, Art drew the scalpel’s blade in a straight line down the left side of her face, cutting from her forehead down to her chin, slicing her eyeball along the way. William Earl, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024
Adverb
That trip was referenced in the whistle-blower complaint that sparked the House’s swift-moving impeachment inquiry. Jennifer Jacobs, Time, 17 Oct. 2019 As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris. Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019
Noun
Ignacio Calderon was in the San Luis Valley of Alamosa County with scientists looking for one of the most cryptic birds in the American continent: the black swift. William Ramsey, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024 Though Jefferson wouldn’t go on to medal for this individual event at Worlds, her swift (and unexpected) rise to national champion status was enough to turn important heads in her direction. Erica Sloan, SELF, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swift 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swift.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swift was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near swift

Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swift. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

swift

1 of 3 adjective
1
: moving or capable of moving with great speed
a swift runner
2
: occurring suddenly or within a very short time
a swift change in weather
swiftly adverb
swiftness
ˈswif(t)-nəs
noun

swift

2 of 3 adverb
: in a swift manner

swift

3 of 3 noun
: any of numerous small mostly dark birds that are related to the hummingbirds but resemble swallows

Biographical Definition

Swift 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Gustavus Franklin 1839–1903 American meatpacker

Swift

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Jonathan 1667–1745 English (Irish-born) satirist
Swiftian adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on swift

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