In English, fast is a common word used to describe something that happens quickly or moves at high speed. But did you know there are over 150 words that can mean fast in different situations? Learning these synonyms will help you speak and write English better. This article will give you a complete list of fast synonyms, examples of how to use them, and explanations in easy words.
What Does Fast Mean in English?
The word fast means moving quickly, happening in a short time, or acting with speed. It can describe:
- A person running fast
- A car moving fast
- Learning something quickly
Example:
- She runs very fast.
- The train is fast.
- He finished the work fast.
Common Synonyms for Fast with Meanings
Here is a list of easy and common synonyms for fast along with simple meanings:
| Synonym | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Quick | Done in a short time | He gave a quick answer. |
| Rapid | Moving very fast | The river flows rapidly. |
| Swift | Very fast or smooth | The fox ran swift through the forest. |
| Speedy | Done quickly | We need a speedy solution. |
| Hasty | Done too quickly | Don’t make hasty decisions. |
| Brisk | Active and fast | She walked at a brisk pace. |
| Immediate | Without delay | He took immediate action. |
| Expeditious | Efficient and fast | They made an expeditious plan. |
| Prompt | Quick to act | Give a prompt response. |
Fast Synonyms by Strength
Mild/Everyday Speed
These words are common, easy to use, and suitable for daily conversations. They express normal fastness.
- Quick
- Speedy
- Brisk
- Nimble
- Prompt
- Ready
- Efficient
- Active
Moderate/Noticeable Speed
These words show faster than usual speed or actions that are fast but noticeable and significant.
- Rapid
- Swift
- Expeditious
- Hasty
- Hurried
- Snappy
- Lively
- Fleet
Strong/Extreme Speed
These words are used for very fast, intense, or extraordinary speed. They are dramatic and often used in writing, speeches, or descriptions.
- Breakneck
- Lightning
- Turbo
- Whirlwind
- Rocket-like
- High-speed
- Blazing
- Supersonic
- Flash
Instantaneous/Immediate Speed
These words emphasise speed without delay or actions done immediately.
- Instant
- Immediate
- Prompt
- Rapid-fire
- In a flash
- At once
- Straightaway
Types of Synonyms for Fast
Adjectives for Synonyms of Fast
- Quick
- Speedy
- Rapid
- Swift
- Hasty
- Brisk
- Nimble
- Fleet
- Prompt
- Immediate
- Expeditious
- Lightning
- Breakneck
- Turbo
- Blazing
- High-speed
- Supersonic
- Whirlwind
- Hurried
- Active
- Zippy
- Snappy
- Agile
- Ready
- Instant
- Fast-paced
- Accelerated
- Express
Adverbs for Synonyms of Fast
- Quickly
- Speedily
- Rapidly
- Swiftly
- Hastily
- Briskly
- Promptly
- Instantly
- Immediately
- Rapid-fire
- Blazingly
- Hurriedly
- Lightning-fast
- Turbo-fast
- Flying
Idioms and Phrases for Synonyms of Fast
- In a flash
- At full speed
- In no time
- Like a rocket
- At lightning speed
- Straightaway
- Rapid-response
- Fast-track
- On-the-spot
- Quick-fire
- Fast-forward
Verbs for Synonyms of Fast
- Rush
- Hasten
- Sprint
- Zoom
- Dash
- Bolt
- Whisk
- Fly
- Scurry
- Whip
- Dart
- Race
- Accelerate
- Whizz
Nouns for Synonyms of Fast
- Speed
- Rapidity
- Swiftness
- Haste
- Fleetness
- Velocity
- Quickness
- Promptness
- Acceleration
- Fastness
Fast vs Similar Words
Some words are similar to fast but are used differently:
Fast vs Quick
- Fast generally means moving or happening at high speed.
- Quick is very similar, but it often emphasizes doing something in a short time rather than speed of movement.
Example: - She runs fast.
- She gave a quick answer.
Fast vs Rapid
- Rapid is similar to fast but is often used in more formal or scientific contexts. It describes speed that is noticeable and measurable.
Example: - The river flows rapidly.
- The patient’s recovery was rapid.
Fast vs Swift
- Swift is like fast but often implies smooth and graceful speed. It is slightly more literary or formal.
Example: - The swift horse crossed the field.
- He made a swift decision.
Fast vs Speedy
- Speedy is similar to fast but usually emphasizes quick results or actions rather than movement alone.
Example: - We need a speedy solution.
- The car is very speedy.
Fast vs Hasty
- Hasty means fast, but it usually has a negative meaning. It suggests something is done too quickly and without careful thought.
Example: - Don’t make hasty decisions.
- He made a hasty mistake.
Fast vs Brisk
- Brisk means moving quickly and energetically. It is often used for walking or small actions rather than extreme speed.
Example: - She walked at a brisk pace.
- The meeting was brisk and effective.
Fast in Different Contexts
Fast can be used in many situations. Here are some examples:
Speed/Movement:
- The rabbit is fast.
- Synonyms: swift, rapid, speedy
Time/Action:
- She finished her homework fast.
- Synonyms: quick, prompt, expeditious
Technology / Internet:
- This is a fast computer.
- Synonyms: high-speed, rapid, lightning
Exact and Near Synonyms for Fast
Exact Synonyms for Fast
These words can generally replace “fast” in most contexts without changing the meaning significantly:
- Quick
- Rapid
- Swift
- Speedy
- Brisk
- Hasty
- Immediate
- Prompt
- Expeditious
- Instant
- Nimble
- Fleet
- Hurried
Near Synonyms for Fast
These words are similar to “fast” but may carry slightly different nuances or contexts:
- Agile
- Zippy
- Snappy
- Lightning
- Breakneck
- Turbo
- Blazing
- Supersonic
- Whirlwind
- High-speed
- Flying
- Rush
- Hasten
- Sprint
- Dash
- Bolt
- Zoom
- Whisk
- Accelerated
- Rapid-fire
- Fast-paced
- Fast-moving
- On-the-spot
- In a flash
- At full speed
- Like a rocket
- Straightaway
- Quick-moving
- Fast-track
- Quick-fire
- Swiftly
- Rapidly
- Speedily
- Hastily
- Briskly
- Promptly
- Instantly
- Immediately
- Blazingly
- Lightning-fast
How to Choose the Right Synonyms for Fast
Choosing the right synonym for fast depends on the context and meaning you want to express.
- Consider the situation—If you are talking about movement, words like swift, rapid, or sprint work well. For actions or tasks, use quick, prompt, or speedy.
- Think about formality—Use rapid, expeditious, or immediate in professional or formal writing, and quick, brisk, or zippy in casual conversation.
- Check the intensity—For extreme speed, choose words like breakneck, lightning, or turbo. For mild speed, words like fast, brisk, or nimble are better.
- Match the part of speech—Use adjectives for nouns, adverbs for verbs, and verbs if describing an action like dash or zoom.
In conclusion, learning different synonyms for fast can make your English more expressive and precise. Using words like quick, rapid, swift, speedy, or immediate helps you describe speed in many situations. By practicing these words in speaking and writing, you can improve your vocabulary and communicate more confidently. Start using these synonyms today to make your English faster, clearer, and more engaging.
FAQs about Other Words for Fast
What are 5 synonyms for fast?
Five common synonyms for fast are quick, rapid, swift, speedy, and brisk.
What is a fancy word for “very fast”?
A fancy word for very fast is supersonic, lightning, breakneck, or turbo.
How do you say fast professionally?
You can say rapid, swift, expeditious, or prompt to describe fast in a professional or formal context.
What is a synonym for rapidly fast?
A synonym for rapidly fast is quickly, swiftly, speedily, or instantly.
What are some common words similar to fast in English?
Common words similar to fast include quick, rapid, swift, speedy, hasty, brisk, immediate, and agile.
How can I describe something moving very quickly using different words?
You can use words like sprint, dash, zoom, bolt, fly, whisk, or rocket-like to describe very quick movement.
What is the difference between fast, quick, and rapid?
Fast refers to high speed in general, quick emphasizes doing something in a short time, and rapid is more formal or scientific, describing noticeable or measurable speed.