quick
[ kwik ]
/ kwɪk /
adjective, quick·er, quick·est.
noun
adverb, quick·er, quick·est.
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Comparatives vs. SuperlativesThe positive form of an adjective or adverb is the basic form listed in a dictionary, e.g.” “red,” “awful” (adjectives); “soon,” “quickly” (adverbs). Adjectives and adverbs can show degrees of quality or amount with the endings -er and -est or with the words more and most or less and least. The comparative form is the greater or lesser degree of the quality named, e.g., “redder,” “more/less awful,” “sooner,” “more/less quickly.” The superlative form is the greatest or least degree of …
Nearby words
Idioms
cut to the quick, to injure deeply; hurt the feelings of: Their callous treatment cut her to the quick.
Origin of quick
SYNONYMS FOR quick
1 fleet, expeditious. Quick, fast, swift, rapid describe speedy tempo. Quick applies particularly to something practically instantaneous, an action or reaction, perhaps, of very brief duration: to give a quick look around; to take a quick walk. Fast and swift refer to actions, movements, etc., that continue for a time, and usually to those that are uninterrupted; when used of communication, transportation, and the like, they suggest a definite goal and a continuous trip. Swift, the more formal word, suggests the greater speed: a fast train; a swift message. Rapid, less speedy than the others, applies to a rate of movement or action, and usually to a series of actions or movements, related or unrelated: rapid calculation; a rapid walker.
5 abrupt, curt, short, precipitate.
7 nimble, agile, brisk.
10 See sharp.
Related forms
quick·ness, nounun·quick, adjectiveun·quick·ly, adverbun·quick·ness, nounCan be confused
fast quick rapid swift (see synonym study at the current entry)quick quickly (see usage note at the current entry)Usage note
The difference between the adverbial forms quick and quickly is frequently stylistic. Quick is more often used in short spoken sentences, especially imperative ones: Come quick! The chimney is on fire. Quickly is the usual form in writing, both in the preverb position ( We quickly realized that attempts to negotiate would be futile ) and following verbs other than imperatives ( She turned quickly and left ). See also slow, sure.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for quickness
British Dictionary definitions for quickness
Derived Forms
quickly, adverbquickness, nounWord Origin for quick
Old English cwicu living; related to Old Saxon quik, Old High German queck, Old Norse kvikr alive, Latin vīvus alive, Greek bios life
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
Medicine definitions for quickness
quick
[ kwĭk ]
n.
Sensitive or raw exposed flesh, as under the fingernails.
adj.
Pregnant.
Alive.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with quickness
quick
In addition to the idioms beginning with quick
- quick and the dead
- quick as a wink
- quick off the mark
- quick one, a
- quick on the draw
- quick on the uptake
also see:
- cut to the quick
- (quick) on the uptake
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.