rapidly

[rap-id-lee]

adverb

1. within a short period of time.

   There are thousands of languages spoken in the world today, but many of them are rapidly approaching obsolescence and extinction.

2. with great speed; swiftly.

   Bats are more likely than birds to detect rapidly spinning turbine blades and avoid flying into them.

Other Word Forms

• ultrarapidly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapidly¹

rapid ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Seven of eight tower blocks in a housing in the northerly Tai Po district rapidly went up in flames on Wednesday.

Read more on BBC

The researchers propose that after the dinosaurs died, their bodies dried in the sun before being rapidly buried in sudden flash floods.

Read more on Science Daily

Beef costs, the subject of a Justice Department investigation, have also risen rapidly this year—although thinner herds and strong demand have helped fuel that surge.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he later became unable to use any of his limbs.

Read more on BBC

Her survey guides readers through this rapidly evolving field and illuminates the shifting dynamics and enduring politics around topics that include food, science, health and beauty.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• briskly 
• expeditiously 
• fast 
• immediately 
• promptly 
• speedily www.thesaurus.com
• swiftly