...the country's rapid economic growth in the 1980s.
This signals a rapid change of mind by the government.
...the rapid decline in the birth rate.
Synonyms: sudden, prompt, speedy, precipitate More Synonyms of rapid
rapidlyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
...countries with rapidly growing populations.
Try to rip it apart as rapidly as possible.
'Operating profit is rising more rapidly,' he said.
rapidity (rəpɪdɪti)uncountable noun
...the rapidity with which the weather can change.
Synonyms: speed, swiftness, promptness, speediness More Synonyms of rapid
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A rapid movement is one that is very fast.
He walked at a rapid pace along Charles Street.
...the St John Ambulance Air Wing, formed to provide for the rapid transport ofpatients in urgent need of specialist attention.
Breathing becomes more rapid and sweating starts.
Synonyms: quick, fast, hurried, swift More Synonyms of rapid
rapidlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
He was moving rapidly around the room.
They rapidly spread out over the field.
Synonyms: quickly, fast, swiftly, briskly More Synonyms of rapid
rapidityuncountable noun
The water rushed through the holes with great rapidity.
rapid in British English
(ˈræpɪd)
adjective
1.
(of an action or movement) performed or occurring during a short interval of time; quick
a rapid transformation
2.
characterized by high speed
rapid movement
3.
acting or moving quickly; fast
a rapid worker
Derived forms
rapidly (ˈrapidly)
adverb
rapidity (rəˈpɪdɪtɪ) or rapidness (ˈrapidness)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin rapidus tearing away, from rapere to seize; see rape1
rapid in American English
(ˈræpɪd)
adjective
1.
moving, progressing, or occurring with speed; swift; fast; quick
noun US
2. [usually pl.]
a part of a river where the current is relatively swift, as because of a narrowing of the river bed
3.
a rapid transit car, train, or system
SIMILAR WORDS: fast
Derived forms
rapidity (rəˈpɪdəti)
noun or ˈrapidness
rapidly (ˈrapidly)
adverb
Word origin
L rapidus < rapere, to seize, rush: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'rapid' in a sentence
rapid
Any such rapid change in representation is almost assuredly explained by social and cultural factors.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In some pockets of the country price growth was rapid.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was a very rapid change.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We should applaud those who work tirelessly for such rapid, sustainable growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In 2011 it formed a unit to train the apprentices it needed to support its rapid growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As its main banker, we are pleased to have supported its rapid growth from the beginning.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One reason for the increase in malicious activity in emerging countries is the rapid growth in network connectivity, according to the report.
Computing (2010)
Forward's rapid decline At this stage last season the attacker had scored ten more goals with five more assists in the league.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Then a few seasons of abundance were followed by a rapid decline.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The company is stepping up investment in support of its rapid sales growth.
The Sun (2013)
There are four periods in our lives when our brains undergo rapid change.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It entered a period of rapid decline.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
Rapid wage growth is probably here to stay.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That has been changed by the rapid rise in house prices.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Its rapid growth is already exposing cracks in the supply chain.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Rapid change in this scale means that the balance is not sustainable.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
Our business is at the heart of these rapid changes in online commerce.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The rapid finger movement of those who constantly send messages can lead to painful neck and shoulder injuries.
The Sun (2009)
Tragic cases like these simply scratch the surface of a society that appears to be in rapid decline.
The Sun (2008)
Its ills have largely been the result of the rapid growth in popularity of online movie rental and download services.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He said the lyrics just tumbled out of his head in one continuous, rapid stream.
The Sun (2009)
Governments likewise borrowed, despite the rapid pace of economic growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
China's ability to sustain its rapid economic growth relies on having access to affordable natural resources.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In June there was indeed a rapid decline.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Unless you want to write a very long biography indeed, a measure of rapid movement is in most cases unavoidable.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
He generally walked alone with rapid short steps and a slight limp, as if he had one leg slightly shorter than the other.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
No vibrato, so a short, rapid decay of sound for each note.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My breathing is rapid and short, like a hunted creature's.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The result was a rapid economic recovery, followed by 16 years of uninterrupted growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It's the choice of where to place that rapid movement that doesn't always work here.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
In other languages
rapid
British English: rapid ADJECTIVE
A rapid change is one that happens very quickly.
...the country's rapid economic growth.
American English: rapid
Brazilian Portuguese: rápido
Chinese: > 快速的变化
European Spanish: rápido
French: rapide
German: schnell
Italian: rapido
Japanese: 迅速な
Korean: 신속한
European Portuguese: rápido
Latin American Spanish: rápido
All related terms of 'rapid'
Rapid City
city in W S. Dak ., in the Black Hills : pop. 60,000
rapid fire
A rapid-fire gun is one that shoots a lot of bullets very quickly, one after the other.
rapid ascent
The ascent of a person to a more important or successful position is the process of reaching this position.
rapid transit
A rapid transit system is a transport system in a city which allows people to travel quickly, using trains that run underground or above the streets .
rapid dominance
the strategy of using overwhelming force at the outset of a conflict in order to break the enemy's will to resist
rapid inflation
Inflation is a general increase in the prices of goods and services in a country.
rapid progress
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
rapid promotion
If you are given promotion or a promotion in your job , you are given a more important job or rank in the organization that you work for.
rapid recovery
If a sick person makes a recovery , he or she becomes well again.
rapid improvement
If there is an improvement in something, it becomes better . If you make improvements to something, you make it better.
rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping is a process for producing solid objects in slices directly from a computer file .
rapid eye movement
movement of the eyeballs under closed eyelids during paradoxical sleep , which occurs while the sleeper is dreaming
rapid reaction force
a force that can be deployed swiftly to a site of conflict or potential conflict
rapid transit chess
rapid chess in which either each move has a fixed time allowed (usually 10 seconds) or both players are allotted a fixed time (often 5 minutes ) for all their moves
rapid transit system
a rail or other system providing rapid public transport
personal rapid transit
a short system of small, self-propelled , automated , rubber-tired vehicles that usually run on elevated concrete tracks and allow a passenger a limited selection of routes , as in an amusement park or at an airport
rapid deployment force
a force that can be deployed swiftly to a site of conflict or potential conflict
rapid eye movement sleep
the type of sleep during which rapid eye movement occurs
REM
REM sleep is a period of sleep that is very deep , during which your eyes and muscles make many small movements. It is the period during which most of your dreams occur. REM is an abbreviation for 'rapid eye movement'.
lightning chess
rapid chess in which either each move has a fixed time allowed (usually 10 seconds) or both players are allotted a fixed time (often 5 minutes ) for all their moves
Chinese translation of 'rapid'
rapid
(ˈræpɪd)
adj
[growth, development, change]迅速的 (xùnsù de)
[heartbeat, steps]快的 (kuài de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of an action) taking or lasting a short time
the country's rapid economic growth
Synonyms
sudden
It was all very sudden.
prompt
an inflammation of the eyeball which needs prompt treatment
speedy
We wish Bill a speedy recovery.
precipitate
the precipitate collapse of European communism
express
A special express service is available.
immediate
My immediate reaction was one of disgust.
fleet
He was fleet as a deer.
swift
We need to make a swift decision.
quickie (informal)
expeditious
the efficient and expeditious way in which he has conducted this business
Opposites
gradual
,
tardy
2 (adjective)
Definition
acting or moving quickly
He walked at a rapid pace along Charles Street.
Synonyms
quick
Europe has moved a long way at a quick pace.
fast
She walked at a fast pace.
hurried
They had a hurried breakfast, then left.
swift
a swift runner
brisk
The horse broke into a brisk trot.
hasty
They need to make a hasty escape.
flying
He made a flying start to the final.
pdq (slang)
Opposites
slow
, deliberate,
leisurely
,
unhurried
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brisk
Definition
lively and quick
The horse broke into a brisk trot.
Synonyms
quick,
lively,
energetic,
active,
vigorous,
animated,
bustling,
speedy,
nimble,
agile,
sprightly,
vivacious,
spry
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 'rapid'
rapid
Explore 'rapid' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fast
Definition
accomplished in or lasting a short time
She walked at a fast pace.
Synonyms
quick,
flying,
winged,
rapid,
fleet,
hurried,
accelerated,
swift,
speedy,
brisk,
hasty,
nimble,
mercurial,
sprightly,
nippy (British, informal)
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 hasty
Definition
done or happening suddenly or quickly
They need to make a hasty escape.
Synonyms
speedy,
fast,
quick,
prompt,
rapid,
fleet,
hurried,
urgent,
swift,
brisk,
expeditious
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 precipitate
Definition
rushing ahead
the precipitate collapse of European communism
Synonyms
sudden,
quick,
brief,
rushing,
violent,
plunging,
rapid,
unexpected,
swift,
abrupt,
without warning,
headlong,
breakneck
in the sense of prompt
Definition
done without delay
an inflammation of the eyeball which needs prompt treatment