quickly

quickly — adverb

1. in a way that is done or happens fast, without taking much time compared to usua

1.adverbA1
Definition

in a way that is done or happens fast, without taking much time compared to usual

Example

Xiu ran quickly across the field to catch the ball.

quickly after a verb of motion

The waiter moved quickly between tables to serve hot meals.

Common collocations
  • run quickly
  • move quickly
  • spread quickly
  • grow quickly
  • work quickly
Synonyms
  • fast

    very common; also works as an adjective ('a fast car')

  • rapidly

    slightly more formal; often used for processes or changes

  • swiftly

    more literary or elegant; suggests smooth, uninterrupted speed

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + quickly

quickly + verb

Common Mistakes

The quickly car drove past us.
The fast car drove past us.
'quickly' is an adverb and cannot be placed before nouns as an adjective. Use 'fast' as an adjective to describe nouns.

2. happening soon after something else, without a long wait between two events

2.adverbA2
Definition

happening soon after something else, without a long wait between two events

Example

The ambulance arrived quickly after the accident was reported.

quickly after [event] — short time interval

Kian quickly saw his mistake and said sorry to the whole class.

quickly + cognitive verb — immediate awareness

Common collocations
  • quickly realize
  • quickly become
  • quickly recover
  • quickly respond
  • quickly forget
Synonyms
  • immediately

    stronger emphasis; suggests zero delay at all

  • promptly

    suggests a responsible or expected quick response

  • soon

    less precise about speed; more about the near future

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

quickly after [event]

quickly + verb of cognition or change

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 describes how soon after an event something happens (a short time interval), not how fast the action itself is performed. For example, 'The taxi arrived quickly' (sense 2 — the taxi came soon after being called) differs from 'The taxi drove quickly' (sense 1 — the taxi was moving at high speed).

Word family

  • quick
    adjectiveA1
  • quicken
    verbB2
  • quickness
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Fast, quickly, rapidly, swiftly, and speedily all describe high speed. 'Fast' is the most common and versatile — it works as both adjective and adverb in everyday speech ('She drives fast'). 'Quickly' is the standard adverb for everyday writing and speech, used across all contexts. 'Rapidly' is slightly more formal and often describes processes or changes over time ('The city grew rapidly'). 'Swiftly' sounds more literary or elegant, often suggesting smooth, graceful movement ('The eagle swooped down swiftly'). 'Speedily' is less common and can sound old-fashioned or legal ('The matter was dealt with speedily'). In daily conversation, 'fast' (as adverb) and 'quickly' are the natural, neutral choices. Use 'rapidly' in formal writing about change or development, and 'swiftly' when you want a more expressive, vivid tone.

fast ↗rapidly ↗swiftly ↗speedily

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very quickly
  • too quickly
  • quite quickly
  • so quickly
  • as quickly as possible

Phrases

  • more quickly than
  • quickly enough
  • quickly followed by

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Quickly' comes from the Old English word 'cwicu', which originally meant 'alive' or 'living'. In early English, 'quick' described something that was full of life and energy. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'lively' to 'fast-moving', because living things are usually active and fast. By the 1200s, 'quick' was already being used to mean 'rapid', and 'quickly' became the common adverb form for this new meaning.