rapid

[ rap-id ]

adjective

, sometimes rap·id·er, rap·id·est.

1. occurring within a short time; happening speedily:

   rapid growth.

2. moving or acting with great speed; swift:

   a rapid worker.

3. characterized by speed:

   rapid motion.

noun

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

rapid

/ rəˈpɪdɪtɪ; ˈræpɪd /

adjective

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

   a rapid transformation

2. characterized by high speed

   rapid movement

3. acting or moving quickly; fast

   a rapid worker

Derived Forms

• rapidity, noun
• ˈrapidly, adverb

Other Words From

• rap·id·ly adverb
• ul·tra·rap·id adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapid¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapid¹

C17: from Latin rapidus tearing away, from rapere to seize; see rape ¹

Synonym Study

See quick.

Example Sentences

This is a rapid rise water that rushes onshore, sweeping away trees, cars and almost anything else in its path.

From Science News For Students

A worried friend drove her to the emergency room to get checked out for a rapid heartbeat.

From ProPublica

Vaccine development, rapid testing, and widely available protective gear all have important roles to play in saving lives and getting the economy back on its feet.

From Popular-Science

The six-part series starts in Manchester, England in 2019 and follows the Deacon family over the next 15 years as Britain is rocked by a period of rapid technological, political and economic changes.

From Washington Blade

You can also reach Broad Ripple by the new Red Line rapid transit bus line.

From Washington Blade

The rapid rise of the sharing economy is changing the way people around the world commute, shop, vacation, and borrow.

From The Daily Beast

He experienced a rapid rise, only beginning to play cricket competitively at age 11.

From The Daily Beast

That indicated a relatively rapid increase in methane, followed by an equally fast decrease.

From The Daily Beast

In some ways, the rapid spread of the virus there should not be surprising.

From The Daily Beast

The loss of whitebark and the rapid increase in human-killed grizzlies are synchronous.

From The Daily Beast

These sections also have vibrations of their own which are of shorter length and more rapid motion.

From Project Gutenberg

The rapid spread of the revolt was not a whit less marvelous than its lack of method or cohesion.

From Project Gutenberg

It also occurs in diseases with extensive and rapid destruction of red blood-corpuscles.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything showed a rapid flight; even the would-be dinner of the guerrillas was found half cooked.

From Project Gutenberg

The attempt failed, and was followed by a rapid succession of miscellaneous thrusts and passes in bewildering variety.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accelerated
• breakneck
• brisk
• expeditious
• fast
• hasty
• speedy
• swift