Word forms: comparative swifter, superlative swiftest, plural swifts
1. adjective
A swift event or process happens very quickly or without delay.
Our task is to challenge the U.N. to make a swift decision.
The police were swift to act.
Synonyms: quick, immediate, prompt, rapid More Synonyms of swift
swiftlyadverb
They have acted swiftly and decisively to protect their industries.
Synonyms: quickly, rapidly, speedily, without losing time More Synonyms of swift
swiftnessuncountable noun [oft NOUNof noun]
The secrecy and swiftness of the invasion shocked and amazed army officers.
Synonyms: rapidity, speed, quickness, promptness More Synonyms of swift
2. adjective
Something that is swift moves very quickly.
With a swift movement, Matthew Jerrold sat upright.
swiftlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Lenny moved swiftly and silently across the front lawn.
...a swiftly flowing stream.
Synonyms: fast, promptly, hurriedly, apace [literary] More Synonyms of swift
swiftnessuncountable noun
With incredible swiftness she ran down the passage.
Synonyms: speed, velocity, alacrity, expedition More Synonyms of swift
3. countable noun
A swift is a small bird with long curved wings.
More Synonyms of swift
swift in British English
(swɪft)
adjective
1.
moving or able to move quickly; fast
2.
occurring or performed quickly or suddenly; instant
a swift response
3. (postpositive; foll byto)
prompt to act or respond
swift to take revenge
adverb
4.
a.
swiftly or quickly
b.
(in combination)
swift-moving
noun
5.
any bird of the families Apodidae and Hemiprocnidae, such as Apus apus (common swift) of the Old World: order Apodiformes. They have long narrow wings and spend most of the time on the wing
6. (sometimes capital)
a variety of domestic fancy pigeon originating in Egypt and Syria and having an appearance somewhat similar to a swift
7. short for swift moth
8.
any of certain North American lizards of the genera Sceloporus and Uta that can run very rapidly: family Iguanidae (iguanas)
9.
the main cylinder in a carding machine
10.
an expanding circular frame used to hold skeins of silk, wool, etc
Derived forms
swiftly (ˈswiftly)
adverb
swiftness (ˈswiftness)
noun
Word origin
Old English, from swīfan to turn; related to Old Norse svifa to rove, Old Frisian swīvia to waver, Old High German sweib a reversal; see swivel
Swift in British English
(swɪft)
noun
1.
Graham Colin. born 1949, English writer: his novels include Waterland (1983), Last Orders (1996), which won the Booker prize, and The Light of Day (2002)
2.
Jonathan. 1667–1745, Anglo-Irish satirist and churchman, who became dean of St Patrick's, Dublin, in 1713. His works include A Tale of a Tub (1704) and Gulliver's Travels (1726)
Derived forms
Swiftian (ˈSwiftian)
adjective
Swift in American English
(swɪft)
Jonathan1667-1745; Eng. satirist, born in Ireland
swift in American English
(swɪft)
adjective
1.
moving or capable of moving with great speed; rapid; fast
2.
coming, happening, or done quickly or suddenly
3.
acting or responding quickly; prompt; ready
adverb
4.
in a swift manner
noun
5.
a cylinder in a carding machine
6.
an expanding reel used to hold skeins of silk, etc. that are being wound off
7.
any of a large family (Apodidae, order Apodiformes) of aerial-feeding, insectivorous, swift-flying, swallowlike birds with long, stiff wings and a small, weak bill, as the chimney swift
8.
any of several swift-moving North American iguanas (genera Sceloporus and Uta) living esp. in arid or desert regions
9.
a small fox (Vulpes velox) of the plains of W U.S. and S Canada
: in full swift fox
SIMILAR WORDS: fast
Derived forms
swiftly (ˈswiftly)
adverb
swiftness (ˈswiftness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OE < IE *sweip- < base *swei-, to bend, turn > swathe1, swoop
SWIFT in Finance
(swɪft) or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication
abbreviation
(Finance: Banking)
SWIFT is an organization that supplies secure messaging services and software to financial institutions.
SWIFT is a dedicated computer network to support funds transfer messages internationallybetween over 900 member banks worldwide.
SWIFT is an international consortium of member banks operating a worldwide system for transferof money and messages.
SWIFT is an organization that supplies secure messaging services and software to financialinstitutions.
Examples of 'swift' in a sentence
swift
She had had an undetected cancer and the end was swift.
Bethune, Helen Positive Parent Power (1991)
They like the idea of swift and certain justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is an important first step and needs swift action to make it happen quickly.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Turns out there is no etiquette for making a swift exit.
The Sun (2016)
It is very hard to distinguish from our common swifts.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We applaud such swift action by these leaders.
The Sun (2012)
Victory for the allied coalition was swift and decisive.
Butt, Gerald A Rock and a Hard Place (1994)
It ended with a swift and unexpected act of violence.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
It said that the lack of credit continued to dampen chances of a swift recovery.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The uproar in both cases was swift and decisive.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But few investors could see a similarly swift end to their ordeal.
Malcolm Balen A VERY ENGLISH DECEIT: The Secret History of the South Sea Bubble and the First GreatFinancial Scandal (2002)
He has our warmest wishes for a swift recovery.
The Sun (2007)
The current swift pace suits you.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This process must be swift, comprehensive and independently verified.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Prospects for a swift return to the grocery business aren't looking good.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Luckily for the neighbours, the musical learning process was swift.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For example, a swift river current will undercut the outer bank of a meander.
Jilbert, John Geography Basic Facts (1983)
They did not fare much better in 2011 with two draws and an equally swift exit.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This kind of knowing is what permits swift, unified action in times of rapid change.
Geoffrey A. Moore LIVING ON THE FAULT LINE, REVISED EDITION (2002)
Clearly, her swift return was a success.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are farther from winning silverware or returning to the swift, incisive football of a decade ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One minute the afternoon air had been filled with the chatter of swifts as the birds wheeled through the air above the town's streets.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
For punishment to be effective in deterring crime and changing behaviour, it must be swift, certain and corrective.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Atlético were a threat on the counter-attack and they proved it with a swift and incisive move eight minutes before half-time to take the lead.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Word lists with
swift
bird, butterfly, programming language, reptile
In other languages
swift
British English: swift ADJECTIVE
A swift event or process happens very quickly or without delay.
Our task is to challenge the U.N. to make a swift decision.
American English: swift
Brazilian Portuguese: rápido
Chinese: 迅速的
European Spanish: rápido
French: rapide
German: schnell
Italian: rapido
Japanese: すばやい
Korean: 신속한
European Portuguese: rápido
Latin American Spanish: rápido
All related terms of 'swift'
swift fox
a small fox , Vulpes velox, of the plains of W North America
swift moth
any of five species of fast-flying moths of the family Hepialidae, regarded as primitive in development, having forewings and hind wings similar in size and shape: the best known is the ghost swift , Hepialus humili
chimney swift
a North American swift , Chaetura pelagica, that nests in chimneys and similar hollows
common swift
Apus apus, a bird with long narrow wings which spends most of the time on the wing
swift action
Action is doing something for a particular purpose.
swift-flowing
moving rapidly
swift-footed
able to run very quickly
swift progress
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
swift response
Your response to an event or to something that is said is your reply or reaction to it.
kit fox
a small fox , Vulpes velox, of the plains of W North America
Chinese translation of 'swift'
swift
(swɪft)
adj
[recovery]快速的 (kuàisù de)
[response, decision]敏捷的 (mǐnjié de)
[stream, movement]速度快的 (sùdù kuài de)
n(c)
(= bird) 褐雨燕 (hèyǔyàn)
to be swift to do sth迅速地做某事 (xùnsù de zuò mǒushì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
happening or performed quickly or suddenly
We need to make a swift decision.
Synonyms
quick
The President has admitted there is no quick end in sight.
immediate
My immediate reaction was one of disgust.
prompt
an inflammation of the eyeball which needs prompt treatment
rapid
the country's rapid economic growth
instant
I had taken an instant dislike to her.
abrupt
His abrupt departure is bound to raise questions.
ready
I didn't have a ready answer for this dilemma.
expeditious
the efficient and expeditious way in which he has conducted this business
2 (adjective)
Definition
moving or able to move quickly
a swift runner
Synonyms
fast
She walked at a fast pace.
quick
Europe has moved a long way at a quick pace.
rapid
flying
He made a flying start to the final.
express
A special express service is available.
winged
sudden
It was all very sudden.
fleet
He was fleet as a deer.
hurried
They had a hurried breakfast, then left.
speedy
We wish Bill a speedy recovery.
spanking
nimble
Lily, who was light and nimble on her feet, was learning to tap-dance.
quickie (informal)
nippy (British, informal)
This nippy new car has fold-down rear seats.
fleet-footed
Opposites
slow
,
sluggish
,
plodding
,
lingering
,
ponderous
,
unhurried
,
tardy
,
lead-footed
,
tortoise-like
related words
collective nounflock
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abrupt
Definition
sudden or unexpected
His abrupt departure is bound to raise questions.
Synonyms
sudden,
unexpected,
hurried,
rapid,
surprising,
quick,
swift,
rash,
precipitate,
hasty,
impulsive,
headlong,
unforeseen,
unanticipated
in the sense of expeditious
Definition
done quickly and efficiently
the efficient and expeditious way in which he has conducted this business
Synonyms
quick,
fast,
active,
prompt,
immediate,
rapid,
ready,
alert,
efficient,
instant,
swift,
speedy,
brisk,
hasty,
nimble,
diligent
in the sense of express
Definition
of or for rapid transportation of people, mail, etc.
A special express service is available.
Synonyms
fast,
direct,
quick,
rapid,
priority,
prompt,
swift,
high-speed,
speedy,
quickie (informal),
nonstop,
expeditious
Synonyms of 'swift'
swift
Explore 'swift' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fleet
Definition
rapid in movement
He was fleet as a deer.
Synonyms
swift,
flying,
fast,
quick,
winged,
rapid,
speedy,
nimble,
mercurial,
meteoric,
nimble-footed
in the sense of flying
Definition
fast or built for speed
He made a flying start to the final.
Synonyms
fast,
running,
express,
speedy,
winged,
mobile,
rapid,
fleet,
mercurial
in the sense of hurried
Definition
done quickly or too quickly
They had a hurried breakfast, then left.
Synonyms
hasty,
quick,
brief,
rushed,
short,
swift,
speedy,
precipitate,
quickie (informal),
breakneck
in the sense of immediate
Definition
taking place without delay
My immediate reaction was one of disgust.
Synonyms
instant,
prompt,
instantaneous,
quick,
on-the-spot,
split-second
in the sense of instant
Definition
immediate
I had taken an instant dislike to her.
Synonyms
immediate,
prompt,
instantaneous,
direct,
quick,
urgent,
on-the-spot,
split-second
in the sense of nimble
Definition
agile and quick in movement
Lily, who was light and nimble on her feet, was learning to tap-dance.
Synonyms
agile,
active,
lively,
deft,
proficient,
sprightly,
nippy (British, informal),
spry,
dexterous
in the sense of nippy
Definition
(of a motor vehicle) small and relatively powerful
This nippy new car has fold-down rear seats.
Synonyms
fast (informal),
quick,
speedy
in the sense of prompt
Definition
done without delay
an inflammation of the eyeball which needs prompt treatment
Synonyms
immediate,
quick,
rapid,
instant,
timely,
early,
swift,
on time,
speedy,
instantaneous,
punctual,
pdq (slang),
unhesitating
in the sense of rapid
Definition
(of an action) taking or lasting a short time
the country's rapid economic growth
Synonyms
sudden,
prompt,
speedy,
precipitate,
express,
immediate,
fleet,
swift,
quickie (informal),
expeditious
in the sense of ready
Definition
quick or intelligent
I didn't have a ready answer for this dilemma.
Synonyms
prompt,
smart,
quick,
bright,
sharp,
keen,
acute,
rapid,
alert,
clever,
intelligent,
handy,
apt,
skilful,
astute,
perceptive,
expert,
deft,
resourceful,
adroit,
quick-witted,
dexterous
Additional synonyms
in the sense of speedy
Definition
(of a vehicle) able to travel fast
We wish Bill a speedy recovery.
Synonyms
quick,
fast,
rapid,
swift,
express,
winged,
immediate,
prompt,
fleet,
hurried,
summary,
precipitate,
hasty,
headlong,
quickie (informal),
expeditious,
fleet of foot,
pdq (slang)
in the sense of sudden
Definition
occurring or performed quickly and without warning