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quick

quick

70 3.2
Able to understand and answer fast
  • adjective
  • /kwɪk/
: ágil
  • Jerry, Jerry, you're a really quick study.
  • quick thinking
  • quick learner
  • quick to learn

Our brains are pretty quick instruments to play.

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Examples

Synonyms

smart
vsquick
∞ 1.9

Shows quick thinking and good understanding

narrows this to being prompt and intelligent in perception or action
bright
vsquick
315 1.2

Quick to learn and understand new things

stresses prompt intelligent reaction rather than general learning ease
sharp
vsquick
210 3.3

Quick at noticing small details and understanding things

is the more general idea of timely intelligent perception or action
alert
vsquick
127 2.8

Quick to notice and respond to what is happening

is about prompt intelligent perception or action rather than steady alertness
on the ball
vsquick
  • Informal
18 5.6

Quick to notice and understand things

focuses more narrowly on prompt perception or action rather than broad knowledge
nimble
vsquick
9 4.0

Quick to think and find clever answers

leans more toward prompt intelligent perception or action than physical nimbleness
smart as a whip
vsquick
  • Informal
5 7.0

Very quick to understand things and find answers

expresses the same prompt intelligence but with less extreme emphasis
sharp as a tack
vsquick
  • Informal
5 6.7

Able to understand new things very quickly

covers general prompt intelligent response rather than extreme acuity
quick-witted
vsquick
5 4.8

Able to think and give smart fast answers

is broader, meaning prompt and intelligent in perception or action
ready
vsquick
3 1.0

Quick to think and give a clever answer

emphasizes general prompt perception or action rather than preparedness
agile
vsquick
3 4.4

Able to think quickly and find good ideas

is the broader sense of prompt intelligent perception or action
1 6.7

Able to understand new ideas very quickly

focuses more generally on prompt intelligent perception and action
quick-sighted
vsquick
1 6.0

Quick to notice small changes or details that others miss

emphasizes general prompt intelligent perception and action rather than sight only
5.2

Able to think and answer quickly in surprising or difficult situations

is the general idea of prompt intelligent response beyond specific situations

Antonyms

dull
  • Offensive
29 2.8

Slow to notice or react to things

slow-witted
  • Offensive
4 6.7

Not quick to understand or think

Idioms

double quick
  • Informal
4 4.1

Very fast, without delay

Able to respond quickly under pressure

to cut to the quick
  • Literature
3 7.9

To hurt someone's feelings very deeply

Fast to act or respond at the start of a situation

Able to understand new ideas very quickly

quick as a flash
  • Informal
1 2.0

Happen very fast

1 8.8

Very fast without waiting

in quick sticks
  • Archaic
9.9

Very quickly and in a hurry

Able to think and answer quickly in surprising or difficult situations

Compounds

35 4.2

A fast temporary solution that only works for a short time

To think and react quickly when things go wrong

12 1.4

A short journey to a place and back

quick buck
  • Informal
10 5.3

Money made quickly, often with little work or by dishonest ways

10 3.3

A person who learns new things quickly and easily

A dishonest plan that promises to make you rich quickly with little work

5 1.2

A short, easy book or article you can read quickly

4 3.9

To become angry easily or suddenly

Happens almost instantly

3 5.9

Able to change clothes or roles very quickly

3 3.0

Stops being wet very fast after you put it on

2 7.9

Very quick, as when soldiers march at twice the normal speed

quick time
  • Specialized
2 5.9

A normal marching speed of 120 steps per minute used in military drill

quick jab
  • Specialized
2 3.6

A fast, sharp punch in boxing that hits an opponent quickly

2 5.1

A marching pace faster than walking and slower than running at about 120 steps per minute

A short informal talk to share or clear up something

1 1.4

A short up and down head movement that shows agreement

1 3.1

A bread made with baking powder or baking soda so it can be baked right away

quick breather
  • Informal
1 3.0

A short break to breathe and rest

quick dash
  • Informal
1 3.7

A short fast trip to a nearby place for a small task

1 5.2

A fast forward jab with a hand or a weapon

quick comeback
  • Informal
1 3.6

A fast, clever reply to a remark or insult

quick-freeze
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A machine or process that makes food very cold quickly to keep its taste and vitamins

quick-frozen
  • Specialized
1 3.8

Made very cold quickly to keep the taste and nutrients

quick sesh
  • Slang
1 9.3

A short informal meeting to talk or relax

quick layup
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A fast basketball shot near the basket taken quickly after a player gets the ball

1 3.4

A movement faster than walking but slower than running

A question that follows another to get fast answers

1 5.4

A short breath you take to smell something

quick assets
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Money and things that can become cash quickly, like short-term investments or amounts customers owe

A very quick answer to a question given without thinking, often one after another

To think and answer fast and cleverly

1 6.6

A quick temporary solution made without care for small details

quick lip
  • Informal
1 9.3

A short rude reply said quickly to show anger or disrespect

A quick, clever reply that surprises others

Quick to notice small changes or details that others miss

A short answer that avoids the question

quick grass
  • Specialized
7.5

A fast-spreading grass with creeping roots that grows as a weed

7.4

A short kiss or quick light slap given suddenly

quick smoko
  • Australian
9.9

A short break at work to smoke a cigarette

quick snog
  • Slang
9.1

A short strong kiss given suddenly, often in private

quick squizz
  • Slang
9.6

A short hurried look at something

Able to hear very quiet sounds

quick whap
  • Informal
8.8

A quick, sharp hit that makes a short sound

How Quick

quick-witted
5 4.8
quick
70 3.2
sharp
210 3.3
alert
135 3.5
aware
∞ 2.7

Surface Forms

quick positive
quicker comparative
quickest superlative

Etymology

Quick comes from an Old English word cwic meaning 'alive'. A 'quick' mind is a mind that is mentally 'alive', so it notices and understands things fast.