warp speed
Americannoun
Usage
What does warp speed mean? Warp speed is an extremely fast speed. In science fiction stories, especially in the Star Trek universe, warp speed refers to a hypothetical speed faster than the speed of light that can be achieved by spaceships like the USS Enterprise. This use became popular enough to enter the language as a general term for a really, really fast speed. It’s typically used in exaggerations about how fast something is moving or how fast an action is performed. Example: My kids usually drag their feet when I ask them to do their chores, but they start working at warp speed if I promise them pizza.
Etymology
Origin of warp speed
Alluding to the use in science fiction of spatial or temporal warps to travel interstellar distances
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The pair are locked in a warp-speed race to build the future of human technology, and they’re starting to generate significant cash.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
Pollock's inclusion marks a warp-speed rise to the top of the game.
From BBC • May 8, 2025
“If we’re talking about the full book for an insurer,” Frazier said, “it’s not going to be fully at that new rate” under this hypothetical warp-speed scenario “until some time in 2025.”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2023
Dobbie played a part in fine-tuning this 6-on-6, warp-speed form of lacrosse.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2022
Her face is shiny and warm, but dotted with those same warp-speed darting eyes all the people here have.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
