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Glite Dictionary
ultrafast

ultrafast

1 3.9
Much quicker than normal for the same thing
  • adjective
  • /ˈʌltrəˌfæst/
translation icon : ultrarrápido
  • They differ in detail, but the trio of upcoming large-scale XFELs will produce coherent, intense, ultrafast pulses of hard X-rays.
  • ultrafast spectroscopy

Examples

  • The Frank Isakson Prize for Optical Effects in Solids goes to Roberto Merlin for original contributions to spontaneous Raman and ultrafast spectroscopy of fundamental excitations in solids.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Apple announces ultrafast iPhone.

    Blog text (7)

  • Muscle contraction—also called actuation—can be ultrafast, occurring in 25-thousandths of a second.

    Blog text (1)

  • Ultrafast spectroscopy measurements were carried out with the femtosecond transient absorption spectrometer based on an amplified Ti:Sapphire laser system.

    Academic text (2018)

  • The ultrafast internet connection allowed them to download movies in seconds.

  • She excelled in the ultrafast sprint event, leaving her competitors far behind.

  • The ultrafast delivery service ensured that my package arrived on the same day.

Synonyms

fast
vsultrafast
∞ 1.0

Moving or happening quickly

is stronger, indicating an extreme speed far above normal
rapid
vsultrafast
295 1.3

Happening very quickly

is more extreme and indicates much higher speed than very quick
swift
vsultrafast
118 1.4

Moving or happening very quickly

is stronger and stresses an extreme degree beyond quickness
high-speed
vsultrafast
100 3.2

Able to work or move much faster than normal

is more extreme and means a much greater speed than usual
speedy
vsultrafast
70 1.8

Moving or happening very quickly with little delay

emphasizes extreme physical speed rather than mere promptness
fast-paced
vsultrafast
24 3.9

Happening very quickly with a lot of action

refers to extreme physical speed itself rather than lively tempo
lightning fast
vsultrafast
  • Informal
6 3.6

Happening or moving very quickly

is the general extreme term without the sudden idiom
high-velocity
vsultrafast
5 5.7

Moving or working much faster than similar things

stresses a much higher degree than normal or average
superfast
vsultrafast
1 3.2

Moving or working much faster than usual

is the same in meaning and differs only in form or usage
ultrarapid
vsultrafast
  • Specialized
1 4.8

Very fast, especially in science and medicine

is equally extreme but used more widely outside technical fields
lightspeed
vsultrafast
  • Informal
4.9

Happening or done extremely fast

is the literal adjective for extreme degree rather than figurative speech

Antonyms

slow
∞ 1.0

Moving or happening at a low speed

How Fast

ultrafast
1 3.9
rapid
295 1.3
fast
∞ 1.0
brisk
27 3.2
slow
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

ultrafast positive
ultrafaster comparative
ultrafastest superlative

Morphology

ultrafast = fast (transparent) = ultra + fast

The meaning is a straightforward combination of the intensifying prefix 'ultra-' with 'fast'.

Etymology

Ultrafast combines ultra- meaning 'beyond' or 'extreme', as in ultraviolet, and fast, which means quick. So ultrafast describes something that is much faster than normal.