rapid fire

¹

noun

, Military.

1. a rate of firing small arms that is intermediate between slow fire and quick fire.

rapid-fire

²

[ rap-id-fahyuhr ]

adjective

1. characterized by, delivered, or occurring in rapid succession:

   rapid-fire questions; rapid-fire events.

2. Military. discharging in rapid fire:

   rapid-fire rifles.

3. discharging, operating, etc., at a rate more rapid than normal:

   a rapid-fire staple gun.

rapid fire

noun

1. a fast rate of gunfire

adjective

1. 1. firing shots rapidly
   2. denoting medium-calibre mounted guns designed for rapid fire
2. done, delivered, or occurring in rapid succession

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapid fire¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Our Book Club members are always looking for new recommendations, so we have a few rapid fire questions for you on your favorite books.

From Outside Online

The show offers no cathartic “gotcha” moments, no easy answers, and no rapid-fire dialogue.

From The Daily Beast

There are no cathartic ‘gotcha’ moments, no easy answers, and no rapid-fire dialogue.

From The Daily Beast

All the rapid fire no doubt jangles his neighbors on North Happ Road in the leafy village of Northfield.

From The Daily Beast

Here, he riffs on his rapid-fire style, why politics is as funny as ever, and more.

From The Daily Beast

Mixed in with his rapid-fire prophecies are plenty of provocative assessments of the present.

From The Daily Beast

The men who remained behind had a command to keep up a rapid fire over the enemy trenches which would lend us some cover.

From Project Gutenberg

"No more do I. I'm getting dizzy over all this rapid-fire business," added the lad.

From Project Gutenberg

Through their night-glasses they saw a picket boat with rapid-fire guns lying close in the shadows of the shore.

From Project Gutenberg

With a rapid-fire gun to reply the Merrimac might have demolished the other boat in half a minute, but she had no such equipment.

From Project Gutenberg

Schlesinger spoke very little English, and Clemens always had difficulty in comprehending rapid-fire German.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accelerated
• brisk
• expeditious
• hasty
• hurried
• immediate
• prompt
• rapid
• swift