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lightspeed

lightspeed

4.9
Happening or done extremely fast
  • adjective
  • /ˈlaɪtˌspiːd/
  • Informal
translation icon : a la velocidad de la luz
  • Another possibility would be to try to have, you know, lights, essentially lightspeed travel and to get the hell out of dodge while you can.

Another possibility would be to try to have, you know, lights, essentially lightspeed travel and to get the hell out of dodge while you can.

Examples

  • There would be a lightspeed delay, and there isn't.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • And they're able to capture these quasi arbitrages and they do battle at lightspeed in today's markets.

  • The technology needs to advance at lightspeed to keep up with customer demands.

  • With lightspeed precision, the software can process thousands of transactions every second.

  • The new delivery service promises to get your packages to you at lightspeed.

Synonyms

fast
vslightspeed
1.0

Moving or happening quickly

is slangy and signals an extreme, exceptional degree of quickness
rapid
vslightspeed
295 1.3

Happening very quickly

is more informal and implies an even higher, almost unbelievable speed
swift
vslightspeed
118 1.4

Moving or happening very quickly

is more casual and suggests an extreme, standout level of speed
high-speed
vslightspeed
100 3.2

Able to work or move much faster than normal

is more informal and emphasizes extreme swiftness rather than technical speed
speedy
vslightspeed
70 1.8

Moving or happening very quickly with little delay

is more emphatic and informal, implying extraordinary swiftness
fast-paced
vslightspeed
24 3.9

Happening very quickly with a lot of action

focuses on extreme quickness itself rather than lively or busy pace
breakneck
vslightspeed
10 6.7

Very fast in a way that is dangerous

keeps casual tone and focuses on extraordinary speed without danger
lightning fast
vslightspeed
  • Informal
6 3.6

Happening or moving very quickly

adds casual emphasis, suggesting speed beyond normal expectations
high-velocity
vslightspeed
5 5.7

Moving or working much faster than similar things

is informal and stresses astonishing quickness rather than precise measurement
lightning-quick
vslightspeed
2 4.2

Happens almost instantly

leans informal and stresses amazed reaction to the exceptional speed
superfast
vslightspeed
1 3.2

Moving or working much faster than usual

is more colloquial and highlights astonishing rapidity rather than neutral tone
ultrafast
vslightspeed
1 3.9

Much quicker than normal for the same thing

is informal and stresses an almost unbelievable level of quickness

Antonyms

1.0

Moving or happening at a low speed

1 1.3

Slower than usual in development or learning

Idioms

at lightspeed
  • Informal
1 5.1

To happen or be done very quickly

Compounds

Very fast improvement in a project or task

How Fast

instantaneous
35 5.1
lightspeed
  • Informal
4.9
rapid
295 1.3
speedy
70 1.8
fast
1.0

Surface Forms

lightspeed positive

Morphology

lightspeed = light + speed (transparent) = light + speed

A clear compound of 'light' + 'speed' used metaphorically to mean extremely fast; learners who know the components can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word lightspeed comes from joining light and speed. It refers to the 'speed of light', the fastest known speed, so calling something lightspeed means it happens 'extremely fast'.