adj

quick

kwihk

adj

Moving or happening fast.

"He gave a quick answer without thinking twice."

"It was a quick trip — we were back within the hour."

Mentally sharp; able to understand or react fast.

"She has a quick wit and a sharp memory."

"You need a quick mind to keep up in that job."

noun

(the quick) The sensitive flesh under a fingernail.

"She bit her nail down to the quick."

"Trimming a dog's nails too short can cut the quick."

How to Use Quick

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFast, or mentally sharp.

Common mistake

Quick describes speed as an adjective; quickly is the adverb used with verbs — "a quick reply" but "he replied quickly."

Word Forms

quicker comparative, more quick comparative, quicker comparative, quicked past tense, quicks plural, Quicks plural, quicks singular, quickest superlative, most quick superlative, quickest superlative

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He gave a _____ answer without thinking twice.

Etymology

Originally meant "alive, living" (as in "the quick and the dead") before it came to mean "fast."

Synonyms

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speedy rapid swift momentary short-lived droll keen intelligent live vital gravid with child

Antonyms

slow dead

Related Words

die slow kill distinct ephemeral dead living important

Rhymes for quick

Buick

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