rapid

American

[rap-id] / ˈræp ɪd /

adjective

rapider, rapidest

occurring within a short time; happening speedily.

rapid growth.
moving or acting with great speed; swift.

a rapid worker.
characterized by speed.

rapid motion.

noun

Usually rapids a part of a river where the current runs very swiftly.

rapid British

/ ˈræpɪd, rəˈpɪdɪtɪ /

adjective

(of an action or movement) performed or occurring during a short interval of time; quick

a rapid transformation
characterized by high speed

rapid movement
acting or moving quickly; fast

a rapid worker

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See quick.

Other Word Forms

rapidity noun
rapidly adverb
ultrarapid adjective

Etymology

Origin of rapid

First recorded in 1625–35, rapid is from the Latin word rapidus “tearing away, seizing, swift”; rape ¹, -id ⁴

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Gilead told me by email that the generics rollout would “enable rapid, affordable, long‑term supply across 120 high-incidence, resource-limited countries.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Many hoped the conflict would lead to rapid regime collapse, but the regime’s dogged efforts to stay in power prove that was never realistic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

It comes amid the already rapid expansion of Plymouth's marine autonomy sector.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Anthropic’s rapid ascent appears to be shaking up the artificial-intelligence leaderboard.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

He made a fierce, rapid munching sound with his teeth that made Penelope shiver.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023