quick

1 of 3

adjective

1
: acting or capable of acting with speed: such as
a(1)
: fast in development or occurrence
a quick succession of events
(2)
: done or taking place with rapidity
gave them a quick look
b(1)
: fast in understanding, thinking, or learning : mentally agile
a quick wit
quick thinking
(2)
: reacting to stimuli with speed and keen sensitivity
(3)
: aroused immediately and intensely
quick tempers
c
: marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of physical movement
walked with quick steps
d
: inclined to hastiness (as in action or response)
quick to criticize
e
: capable of being easily and speedily prepared
a quick and tasty dinner
2
: having a sharp angle
a quick turn in the road
3
: not dead : living, alive
4
a
: moving, shifting
quick mud
b
archaic : not stagnant : running, flowing
5
archaic : fiery, glowing
6
archaic : pregnant
7
obsolete
a
b
quickly adverb
quickness noun

quick

2 of 3

adverb

: in a quick manner

quick

3 of 3

noun

1
[probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse kvika sensitive flesh, from kvikr living]
a
: a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (such as that underlying a fingernail or toenail)
b
: the inmost sensibilities
hurt to the quick by the remark
c
: the very center of something : heart
2
quick plural : living beings
3
archaic : life sense 11
Choose the Right Synonym for quick

quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability.

quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

synonyms see in addition fast

Examples of quick in a Sentence

Adjective They had a quick drink at the bar. She took a quick shower. She gave him a quick kiss. You're back already? That was quick! We made a quick decision, but it turned out to be a good one. He got a quick reply to his inquiry. His quick thinking allowed him to escape trouble. Her friends admired her quick wit. He walked with quick steps. She has quick, agile hands. Adverb a scheme to get rich quick I got used to living with a roommate pretty quick. I can't run any quicker. Noun that nasty comment cut me to the quick
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Keeping some unbaked scones in the freezer makes quick work for an impromptu brunch or a last-minute afternoon tea. Olga Massov, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Georgetown is a quick drive from Austin, though this growing city is worth a stay in itself. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2024 Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 The Princess hasn’t been seen since Christmas Day (except for a few quick shots of her riding in the car on March 4 and March 11) and the palace hasn't given any updates on her recovery. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 During these times of limited access, some stores are designating select self-checkout stations for Walmart+ customers using our Scan and Go service and Spark drivers for quicker access and delivery services. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 In a congregate setting, like a shelter, this can mean quick spread. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 The full instructions are below but here's a quick look at how to make it. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 John Candy was always quick with a joke as well as a helping hand. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024
Adverb
And fattier nuts, like macadamia or Brazil nuts, will oxidize quicker than leaner almonds. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2024 Amazon began offering loans of thousands of dollars to select U.S.-based sellers back in 2011, providing funds quicker than a typical bank might and automatically deducting repayments from a merchant’s Amazon account. Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 However, the protection offered by any vaccine disappears even quicker in older people because their immune systems don’t respond as well. Jen Christensen, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 Processing the floor quicker will be a necessity for Miller to take that next-level leap. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 That’s by no means fast but still quicker than the HR-V, which packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and took more than 10 seconds to reach the same speed. Alex Nishimoto, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024 Updates to the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission improve shift times by 25 percent, and the active suspension now responds to driver input — or changes in the road surface — 90 percent quicker due to an improved electrical architecture. Karl Brauer, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 This could become an issue because, as Cotton noted, the nonstick coating on the pan has a tendency to deteriorate quicker than preferred. Micki Wagner, Saveur, 21 Feb. 2024 Other people have been my legs countless times, and this has broken down barriers quicker than any conversation. Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
Stress hormones flood your system, making your heart pound, your blood pressure rise, your breath quicks, your thoughts race…and none of it is super conducive to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023 But a turnaround that quick will cost you: the service is $400 for GenVisa and $799 for FastPort, and that’s not including any government fees. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2022 Down by 7 with 4:30 to go in the third quarter, Brady delivered a quick out to Edelman, who then connected with Danny Amendola for the 51-yard touchdown pass. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Dec. 2021 Hall’s adaptation cuts to the quick of the novel and transfers the shifting, unsettling quality of Larsen’s text back onto the viewer’s shoulders. New York Times, 20 Oct. 2021 Jones took the snap and fired a quick out to Henry for 6 yards and the first down. BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2021 While doing that quick of a workout might not seem worth the effort to pull on a sports bra and lace up your sneakers, there are actually a ton of compelling reasons to squeeze in a super-short session. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 11 July 2021 Strict border control, and a public quick to wear masks and take precautions after the experience of the 2003 SARS epidemic, have meant that Taiwan recorded a little more than 2,000 cases and 14 deaths. Washington Post, 12 May 2021 Speed out Once again, Washington targeted a Browns linebacker (B.J. Goodson) by throwing a quick out to running back J.D. McKissic. Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 2 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English quik, from Old English cwic; akin to Old Norse kvikr living, Latin vivus living, vivere to live, Greek bios, zōē life

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of quick was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near quick

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quick. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quick

1 of 2 adjective
1
archaic : not dead : living, alive
2
a
: fast in understanding, thinking, or learning : mentally keen
b
: reacting with speed and alertness
c
: aroused immediately and easily
quick temper
d
: fast in development or occurrence
gave a quick look
e
: marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of action or movement
quick adverb
quickly adverb
quickness noun

quick

2 of 2 noun
1
: living persons
the quick and the dead
2
: a very tender area of flesh (as under a fingernail)
3
: one's innermost feelings
hurt to the quick by the remark
4
: the very center of something : heart
the quick of the matter

Medical Definition

quick

1 of 2 adjective
1
: not dead : living, alive
2

quick

2 of 2 noun
1
quick plural : living beings
2
: a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (as that underlying a fingernail)

More from Merriam-Webster on quick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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