speedy

speedy — adjective

1. done or completed in a short time, with very little delay between starting and f

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

done or completed in a short time, with very little delay between starting and finishing.

Example

The patient made a speedy recovery after the surgery and went home in three days.

collocation: speedy recovery

A speedy solution to the flooding problem was what the residents needed most.

Common collocations
  • speedy recovery
  • speedy response
  • speedy solution
  • speedy refund
  • speedy completion
  • speedy progress
Synonyms
  • quick

    more common in everyday speech; 'quick response' and 'speedy response' are both natural

  • swift

    slightly more formal or literary; common in news reporting

  • prompt

    focuses on doing something without delay, especially in service or reply contexts

Antonyms
  • slow

    general opposite; a slow recovery takes a long time

  • prolonged

    implies the process lasted longer than expected or desired

Usage Note

This sense applies only to events, processes, or outcomes (recovery, solution, refund, progress). It is not used for the speed of moving objects or vehicles — that belongs to sense 2 (HIGH SPEED).

Common Mistakes

I took a speedy train to Taipei.
I took a fast train to Taipei.
'Speedy' in the QUICK COMPLETION sense describes how quickly something happens, not how fast a vehicle moves.

2. moving or able to move at great speed when travelling or operating.

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

moving or able to move at great speed when travelling or operating.

Example

Cole rides a speedy scooter that can reach sixty kilometres per hour.

modifies vehicle nouns: speedy scooter / car / train

The speediest animal on land is the cheetah, which can run over one hundred kilometres per hour.

superlative form: speediest

Common collocations
  • speedy car
  • speedy scooter
  • speedy train
  • speedy runner
  • speedy typist
  • speedy connection
Synonyms
  • fast

    the most common and neutral alternative; works in all contexts

  • rapid

    slightly more formal; common in technical or scientific writing

  • swift

    more literary or dramatic; often used for animals or natural forces

Antonyms
  • slow

    general opposite

  • sluggish

    describes movement that is slow and without energy

Usage Note

The comparative and superlative forms speedier and speediest are common, especially in informal and descriptive contexts.

Common Mistakes

We need a speedy reply from the manager.
We need a quick reply from the manager.
For replies, letters, and messages, 'quick' or 'prompt' is more natural than 'speedy' in most contexts.

Word family

  • speed
    nounB1
  • speed
    verbB1
  • speedily
    adverbB2
  • speeding
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four adjectives describe something happening in a short time, but they differ in scope and tone. Quick is the most general and natural in everyday conversation — you would say 'a quick reply' or 'a quick shower' without sounding formal. Swift is more literary or dramatic, often used in news writing ('swift action by authorities'). Prompt focuses on being done without delay, especially in service contexts ('prompt payment', 'prompt response'). Rapid emphasises the speed of the process itself ('rapid growth', 'rapid change') and is common in technical or scientific writing. Speedy sits between quick and swift in tone: it is common in service and business contexts ('speedy refund', 'speedy resolution') but less natural for personal actions ('a speedy meal' sounds odd). For a friendly business email, 'We will give you a speedy reply' sounds natural; for a personal text, 'I'll be quick' sounds better.

quick ↗swift ↗prompt ↗rapid ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very speedy
  • quite speedy
  • remarkably speedy
  • surprisingly speedy

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Speedy comes from Middle English spedy, which itself comes from Old English spēdig, meaning 'prosperous, rich, successful'. The original idea was that success comes from moving quickly and getting things done without delay. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'successful' to 'fast and efficient'. The word is related to speed (noun and verb), which also started with the meaning of 'success' or 'prosperity' in Old English.