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rapid

[ rap-id ]
/ ˈræp ɪd /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR rapid ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, sometimes rap·id·er, rap·id·est.

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.

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Origin of rapid

First recorded in 1625–35, rapid is from the Latin word rapidus “tearing away, seizing, swift.” See rape1, -id4

synonym study for rapid

2. See quick.

OTHER WORDS FROM rapid

rap·id·ly, adverbul·tra·rap·id, adjectiveul·tra·rap·id·ly, adverb

Words nearby rapid

raphe of perineum, raphe of scrotum, raphia, raphide, raphides, rapid, Rapidan, rapid canities, rapid chess, Rapid City, Rapid Deployment Force
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to rapid

breakneck, hasty, brisk, fast, accelerated, speedy, expeditious, swift, flying, prompt, express, active, precipitate, ready, fleet, screaming, agile, double time, hurried, lively

Example sentences from the Web for rapid

British Dictionary definitions for rapid

rapid
/ (ˈræpɪd) /

adjective

(of an action or movement) performed or occurring during a short interval of time; quicka rapid transformation
characterized by high speedrapid movement
acting or moving quickly; fasta rapid worker
See also rapids

Derived forms of rapid

rapidly, adverbrapidity (rəˈpɪdɪtɪ) or rapidness, noun

Word Origin for rapid

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