fast
1[ fast, fahst ]
/ fæst, fɑst /
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adjective, fast·er, fast·est.
adverb, fast·er, fast·est.
noun
a fastening for a door, window, or the like.
OTHER WORDS FOR fast
9 inextricable.
14 enduring.
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Idioms about fast
play fast and loose. play (def. 80).
pull a fast one, Informal. to play an unfair trick; practice deceit: He tried to pull a fast one on us by switching the cards.
Origin of fast
1First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English fæst “firm”; cognate with Dutch vast, Old Norse fastr “firm,” German fest; akin to fast2
synonym study for fast
1, 2. See quick.
Other definitions for fast (2 of 3)
fast2
[ fast, fahst ]
/ fæst, fɑst /
verb (used without object)
to abstain from all food.
to eat only sparingly or of certain kinds of food, especially as a religious observance.
verb (used with object)
to cause to abstain entirely from or limit food; put on a fast: to fast a patient for a day before surgery.
noun
an abstinence from food, or a limiting of one's food, especially when voluntary and as a religious observance; fasting.
a day or period of fasting.
Origin of fast
2First recorded before 1000; Middle English fasten, festen, Old English fæstan; cognate with German fasten, Gothic fastan, Old Norse fasta
OTHER WORDS FROM fast
un·fast·ing, adjectiveOther definitions for fast (3 of 3)
fast3
[ fast, fahst ]
/ fæst, fɑst /
noun
a chain or rope for mooring a vessel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fast in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fast (1 of 2)
fast1
/ (fɑːst) /
adjective
adverb
interjection
archery (said by the field captain to archers) stop shooting!
Word Origin for fast
Old English fæst strong, tight; related to Old High German festi firm, Old Norse fastr
British Dictionary definitions for fast (2 of 2)
fast2
/ (fɑːst) /
verb
(intr) to abstain from eating all or certain foods or meals, esp as a religious observance
noun
- an act or period of fasting
- (as modifier)a fast day
Derived forms of fast
faster, nounWord Origin for fast
Old English fæstan; related to Old High German fastēn to fast, Gothic fastan
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with fast
fast
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.