quick
gb/kwˈɪk/ us/kwˈɪk/
A2
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Moving or happening fast
Happening or moving fast.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is quick
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'quick' (speed) with 'early' (time before expected).
Synonyms
fast (Very close in meaning; 'fast' is slightly more general and can apply to physical speed or time.)
Antonyms
slow (Opposite in terms of speed or pace.)
Collocations
quick response
|quick action
|quick glance
|quick decision
|quick meal
Themes
daily life
|time
|movement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She gave a quick answer before leaving the room.
- The quick fox darted into the bushes.
- We need a quick solution to this problem.
- He took a quick shower before work.
Learner examples
- The bus is quick today.
- He made a quick call.
- I had a quick lunch.
- She gave me a quick smile.
adjective
B1
property
2
Reacting fast
Able to act or answer fast.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is quick to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'quick to' with 'fast at', but 'quick to' often refers to immediate reaction rather than skill speed.
Synonyms
prompt ('Prompt' is slightly more formal and often used for punctuality or timeliness rather than reflexes.)
Antonyms
slow (Opposite in terms of reaction time.)
Collocations
quick to respond
|quick to anger
|quick reflexes
Themes
daily life
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He is quick to admit when he's wrong.
- She has quick reflexes on the tennis court.
- They were quick to offer help.
Learner examples
- She is quick to help.
- He is quick to smile.
- They are quick to answer.
adjective
A2
property
3
Taking little time
Not taking much time.
Usage pattern:
a quick [noun]
Synonyms
brief ('Brief' is slightly more formal and often used for speech or writing; 'quick' is more casual and common in conversation.)
Antonyms
lengthy (Opposite in terms of duration.)
Collocations
quick break
|quick snack
|quick meeting
Themes
daily life
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Let's have a quick meeting before lunch.
- I grabbed a quick snack before the movie.
- She took a quick nap in the afternoon.
Learner examples
- I need a quick rest.
- We had a quick talk.
- He made a quick visit.
adjective
B1
property
4
Mentally sharp or smart
Good at understanding things fast.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is quick at [something]
Synonyms
bright ('Bright' is slightly warmer and more complimentary; 'quick' can be neutral.)
Antonyms
slow-witted (Lacking mental sharpness or speed.)
Collocations
quick learner
|quick mind
|quick thinking
Themes
education
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s a quick learner and adapts easily.
- His quick thinking saved the day.
- You need to be quick on your feet in this job.
Learner examples
- He is a quick student.
- She is quick at math.
- They are quick to understand.
adverb
B1
property
5
At a fast rate
Fast or in little time.
Common mistake:
'Quickly' is the grammatically correct adverb form; 'quick' as an adverb is informal and common in speech but not standard in formal writing.
Synonyms
swiftly ('Swiftly' is more formal and less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
slowly (Opposite in terms of speed of action.)
Collocations
run quick
|finish quick
Themes
daily life
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Come here quick!
- We need to move quick before it rains.
- Think quick if you want to win.
Learner examples
- Come here quick.
- He ran quick.
- Finish it quick.
Grammar
Dictionary form
quick
IPA
GB/kwˈɪk/
US/kwˈɪk/
Syllables & stress
quick (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (quick)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: quick
- Comparative: quicker
- Superlative: quickest
Word family
Expressions
as quick as a flash
1/ˈæz kwˈɪk ˈæz ə flˈæʃ/
idiom
informal
Extremely fast action or movement
Very fast; happening immediately.
Examples
- As quick as a flash, he grabbed the falling glass.
- She was out of the room as quick as a flash.
get rich quick scheme
1/ɡˈɛt ɹˈɪt͡ʃ kwˈɪk skˈim/
fixed phrase
Risky plan for fast wealth
A plan that promises fast money, often risky or dishonest.
Examples
- Be careful of get rich quick schemes online.
- He lost his savings in a get rich quick scheme.
quick fix
1/kwˈɪk fˈɪks/
fixed phrase
Easy but temporary solution
A fast and easy way to solve a problem that may not last long.
Examples
- This software update is just a quick fix for the problem.
- They need more than a quick fix for their financial issues.
think quick on your feet
1/θˈɪŋk kwˈɪk ˈɔn jˈʊɹ fˈit/
idiom
informal
React fast and smart under pressure
To answer or act quickly and well when under stress or surprise.
Examples
- In interviews, you often need to think quick on your feet.
- He thought quick on his feet when the microphone stopped working.
in quick succession
1/ˈɪn kwˈɪk səksˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
One after another quickly
Happening right after each other without delay.
Examples
- Three runners crossed the finish line in quick succession.
- She sneezed twice in quick succession.
in quick succession
2/ˈɪn kwˈɪk səksˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
Happening one after another quickly
Happening close together in time, without much gap.
Examples
- The team scored three goals in quick succession.
- Several cars passed by in quick succession.