fast
/fɑːst/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Moving or happening at a high speed. It can also mean quick to do something.
- That car is very fast.
- She is a fast runner.
- We need a fast answer.
adverb
With great speed. In modern English, this is less common than the adjective form.
- He runs fast.
- The river flowed fast.
- Please speak fast and clearly.
noun
A period when you do not eat food, often for religious or health reasons.
- She kept a fast for two days.
- The fast ended at sunset.
- He is on a water fast.
verb
To stop eating food for a period of time.
- They fast during the festival.
- I fast on Fridays.
- Some people fast for health reasons.
Adinary Nuance
Fast is more general than quick. Use fast for speed itself, like a fast car or fast internet. Quick often focuses on short time or prompt action, like a quick reply or quick lunch. Rapid is more formal and common in writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nhanh
- Spanish
- rápido
- Chinese
- 快
- Japanese
- 速い
- Korean
- 빠른
Etymology
Old English fast, from Proto-Germanic *fastuz, meaning 'firm' or 'fixed'. The meaning 'not moving' later developed into 'quickly' and 'without delay'.
Common phrases
fast foodfast lanefast-movingfast train
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is fast more common than quick?
- Yes, especially for speed, vehicles, and internet connection.
- What is the difference between fast and quick?
- Fast means high speed. Quick often means done in little time.
- Can fast be a noun?
- Yes. It means a period of not eating food.
- Is fast used in formal writing?
- Yes, but rapid is often more formal in reports and academic writing.