quicken

verb

quick·​en ˈkwi-kən 

quickened; quickening ˈkwi-kə-niŋ 

ˈkwik-niŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to make alive : revive

b

: to cause to be enlivened : stimulate

2

archaic

a

: kindle

b

: to cause to burn more intensely

3

: to make more rapid : hasten, accelerate

quickened her steps

4

a

: to make (a curve) sharper

b

: to make (a slope) steeper

intransitive verb

1

: to quicken something

2

: to come to life

especially : to enter into a phase of active growth and development

seeds quickening in the soil

3

: to reach the stage of gestation at which fetal motion is felt

4

: to shine more brightly

watched the dawn quickening in the east

5

: to become more rapid

her pulse quickened at the sight

quickener

ˈkwi-kə-nər 

ˈkwik-nər

noun

Synonyms of quicken

• accelerate
• rush

Choose the Right Synonym for quicken

quicken, animate, enliven, vivify mean to make alive or lively.

quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

synonyms see in addition provoke

Examples of quicken in a Sentence

Stimulants can quicken the heart rate.

His pulse quickened at the thought of seeing her again.

The approach of the deadline quickened our sense of urgency.

The drama quickened when police arrived at the scene.

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the playing field has changed for women leaders in the industry, Kaminetsky would like to see the pace of that change quicken. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

But the arrival of fall means the pace in Hollywood is about to quicken. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

The media, encouraged by negotiators themselves, often reinforces this view, noting that talks are progressing, referring to their quickening pace or intensifying efforts and the anticipation of further meetings. — John R. Bolton, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026

But that was one among many highlights of Paisley’s pulse-quickening 75-minute, 19-song set. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for quicken

• chicken
• likin
• sicken
• stricken
• thicken
• indican

Kids Definition

quicken

verb

quick·​en ˈkwik-ən 

quickened; quickening -(ə-)niŋ 

1

a

: to make or become alive : revive

warm spring days that quickened the earth

b

: arouse sense 2, stimulate

curiosity quickened her interest

2

: to make or become quicker : hasten

quickened her steps

3

a

: to begin growth and development

seeds quickening in the soil

b

: to reach the stage of fetal growth at which motion is begun

Medical Definition

quicken

intransitive verb

quick·​en ˈkwik-ən 

quickened; quickening -(ə-)niŋ 

: to reach the stage of gestation at which fetal motion is felt