swiftswift1 /swɪft/ ●○○ adjective 
Word Origin
My letter received a swift reply. She shot a swift glance at Paul.swift to do something They were swift to deny the accusations.2[only before noun] moving, or able to move, very fast: a swift runner She wiped her tears away in one swift movement.► see thesaurus at fast3somebody is not too swift American English spoken used to say that someone is not very intelligent—swiftly adverb: Alice dressed swiftly.—swiftness noun [uncountable]
Word OriginWORD ORIGINswift1
ExamplesOrigin:
Old EnglishEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Swift fashion changes mean that the shop has to change its stock every six to eight weeks.
- Punishment of the protesters was swift and severe.
- The horses ran along the track at a swift trot.
- Their victory was swift and decisive.
- We had to steer our ship through the swift currents of the Bering Straits.
- But only the swiftest of action will save a woman who's already lost her husband from losing her home as well.
- His swift progress made a life in music almost inevitable.
- The drop was so swift that the engine stalled briefly, then coughed into action.
- They slew the gentle musician, tearing him limb from limb, and flung the severed head into the swift river Hebrus.
- While, at a superficial level, the titles might well mislead, a swift glance at the contents is reassuring.
- With the hood open he made a swift examination of the engine.
- With two swift motions she pinned him.
THESAURUS► fast
Collocations moving or able to move quickly: · The cheetah is the fastest animal in the world.· a fast car
► quick moving fast or doing something in a short time: · He was much quicker than I was over the first 100 metres.· Do I have time for a quick shower?
► high-speed [only before noun] designed to travel or operate very quickly: · a high-speed train· high-speed Internet access
► rapid especially written happening in a short period of time – used about changes, increases, improvements etc: · a rapid increase in the population· the rapid expansion of the firm’s business in the Middle East· a rapid decline in profits
► swift written moving quickly or happening after only a short time: · The horses ran along the track at a swift trot.· He received a swift response to his letter.
► brisk quick and energetic: · a brisk walk in the countryside· His manner was very brisk.
► speedy [only before noun] happening after only a short time: · Everyone wishes you a speedy recovery.· a speedy resolution to the problem
► hurried done more quickly than usual, because you do not have much time: · She ate a hurried breakfast in the cafe before catching her train.· We made a hurried departure.
► hasty deciding or doing something very quickly, especially when this has bad results: · It was a hasty decision, which he later regretted.· Let’s not be too hasty.
Longman Language Activatormoving or travelling fast► fast · Don't drive so fast - there's ice on the road.· The new fighter aircraft flies almost twice as fast as the old one.· She walked faster and faster, then started to run.as fast as you can · He ran home as fast as he could.
► quick spoken use this to tell someone to come or go somewhere quickly: · Come quick, your brother's on TV.· You'll have to walk quicker than that if you want to keep up with me.
► swift written moving fast with a continuous, flowing movement - used especially in literature: · The horses ran along the track at a swift trot.· We had to steer our ship through the swift currents of the Bering Straits.
► at high speed moving or working very fast - use this about cars, trains, machines etc: · Two cars raced past him at high speed.· a metal disk revolving at high speed
► at top speed if a vehicle moves at top speed , it moves as fast as it can go - use this especially when a situation is urgent and someone has to get somewhere very fast: · They headed east at top speed in pursuit of the enemy ship.· At top speed, the Pave Hawk helicopter can travel 221 miles per hour.
► at breakneck speed travelling dangerously fast: · It took us an hour to get there, driving at breakneck speed.· Jenny stepped onto her skis and sped off at breakneck speed down the glistening, white mountain.
► flat out at the fastest speed possible when using all the strength or power there is: · Going flat out, the BMW 325 will reach a speed of 140 miles per hour.· The exercise involved running flat out for two minutes and then resting for one minute.
► like lightning moving extremely fast, often with a single sudden movement: · Somewhere a dog barked and, like lightning, the cat darted into some bushes.· Her foot slipped on the smooth tiles but Mitch moved like lightning and caught her before she fell.
► at speed formal if a car or train is travelling at speed , it is travelling fast: · The train was already travelling at speed when she tried to open the carriage door.
doing things quickly or happening quickly► quickly doing things quickly or happening quickly , without taking much time: · She undressed quickly and got into bed.· It's important to realize how quickly this disease can spread.· Quickly fry the onions, then add the meat.
► quick a quick movement or action is one that you do quickly or one that only takes a short time: · I'll just take a quick shower.· That was quick -- have you finished already?· I had to make a quick decision.be quick (=use this when you are telling someone to hurry): · You'll have to be quick - we don't have much time.
► fast if you work, talk, or write fast , you do it quickly: · Don't talk so fast - I can't understand what you're saying.· We're working as fast as we can.
► rapid a rapid change, increase, or improvement is one that happens much more quickly than usual: · a rapid increase in the population· She made a rapid recovery after her operation.· Adolescence is a period of great and rapid change.
► swift happening or done very quickly and without any delay: · Punishment of the protesters was swift and severe.· Swift fashion changes mean that the shop has to change its stock every six to eight weeks.
► speedy a speedy return, reply, reaction, etc is one that is done or made successfully, as quickly and efficiently as possible: · We are working to ensure the safe and speedy return of all the refugees to their homes.· Thousands of letters and telegrams arrived wishing Nikolai a speedy recovery from his surgery.
► prompt a prompt action, reply, delivery etc is one that is done without delay because quick action is needed: · A major disaster was prevented by the prompt action of the safety officer.· It is important to ensure prompt delivery of goods that customers order.
► meteoric: meteoric rise/career achieving success extremely quickly and suddenly: · The film tells the story of Lee's meteoric rise from North Dakota radio singer to jazz legend.
► at an alarming rate if something happens at an alarming rate , it happens so quickly that it makes people very worried: · The Amazonian rainforest is disappearing at an alarming rate.· The number of people dying from lung cancer has increased at an alarming rate.
► in a flash use this to say that something happens extremely quickly and suddenly, so that you almost do not notice what is happening: · He was gone in a flash.· In a flash Atticus was up and standing over him.· Joel slipped but was on his feet in a flash.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► immediate/prompt/swift action
Phrases· The public wants immediate action to stop the terrorists.
► a hurried/swift exit (=very quick)· The family made a hurried exit, leaving many of their belongings behind.
► a speedy/quick/swift recovery· We wish him a speedy recovery.
► rapid/swift rise· Her rapid rise to the top is well deserved.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN► action· With swift action and investment from all the industrialised nations, acid rain could become a thing of the past.· But swift action by army commanders brought an end to Mr Sharif's Government.· The body may not always be accepted, but swift action must be taken on death to inform the authorities.· But the threat of the old section of the course has meant some swift action to deal with a worsening plight.· He added that if swift action was taken, new legislation could be in place by the end of the parliamentary session.· Mary's Brownie training had helped to make and keep her wide awake, and her swift action saved her.· Male speaker he was a brave man and his swift action prevented further damage.
► change· She felt light-headed and it was not just the swift change from lying down to standing.· There's a swift change of heart.· It would have looked, moreover, as though the Government were backsliding, so a swift change of tack was ordained.
► glance· While, at a superficial level, the titles might well mislead, a swift glance at the contents is reassuring.· He gave her a swift glance from those pale, brilliant eyes, but said nothing.
► movement· He turned, the swift movement making her jump.· With a swift movement, the young man dismounted and brought the rein over the horse's head.· He brought up his arm in one swift movement and pulled the trigger.· Her shift vanished in one swift movement, but in her husband's arms she felt no embarrassment.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► somebody is not too swift
1happening or done quickly and immediately: - Eric's not too swift, is he?
My letter received a swift reply. She shot a swift glance at Paul.swift to do something They were swift to deny the accusations.2[only before noun] moving, or able to move, very fast: a swift runner She wiped her tears away in one swift movement.► see thesaurus at fast3somebody is not too swift American English spoken used to say that someone is not very intelligent—swiftly adverb: Alice dressed swiftly.—swiftness noun [uncountable]