fast

Universal Words adjective, adverb, verb, noun adjective (faster, fastest) quick 1 moving or able to move quickly: a fast car / horse * the world's fastest runner 2 happening in a short time or without delay: the fastest rate of increase for several years * a fast response time 3 able to do sth quickly: a fast learner / reader surface 4 producing or allowing quick movement: a fast road / pitch seealsoFASTLANE watch / clock 5 [notbeforenoun] showing a time later than the true time: I'm early-my watch must be fast. * That clock's ten minutes fast. photographic film 6 (technical) very sensitive to light, and therefore useful when taking photographs in poor light or of sth that is moving very quickly firmly fixed 7 (of a boat, etc.) firmly fixed and safe: He made the boat fast. colours in clothes 8 not likely to change or to come out when washed HELPNOTE There is no noun related to fast. Use speed in connection with vehicles, actions, etc.; quickness is used about thinking. IDIOMS fast and furious (of films / movies, shows, etc.) full of rapid action and sudden changes: In his latest movie, the action is fast and furious. a fast talker a person who can talk very quickly and easily, but who cannot always be trusted: As a politician, she had the reputation for being a real fast talker. a fast worker (informal) a person who knows how to get what they want quickly, especially when beginning a sexual relationship with sb moreatBUCKn., HARDadj., PULLv. adverb (faster, fastest) quickly 1 quickly: Don't drive so fast! * How fast were you going? * I can't go any faster. * The water was rising fast. * Her heart beat faster. * (formal) Night was fast approaching. * a fast-flowing stream -< QUICK 2 in a short time; without delay: Children grow up so fast these days. * Britain is fast becoming a nation of fatties. * The police said that they had reacted as fast as they could. firmly 3 firmly; completely: Within a few minutes she was fast asleep (= sleeping deeply). * The boat was stuck fast (= unable to move) in the mud. HELPNOTE There is no noun related to fast. Use speed in connection with vehicles, actions, etc.; quickness is used about thinking. IDIOMS as fast as your legs can carry you as quickly as you can hold fast to sth (formal) to continue to believe in an idea, etc. in spite of difficulties play fast and loose (with sb/sth) (old-fashioned) to treat sb/sth in a way that shows that you feel no responsibility or respect for them stand fast / firm to refuse to move back; to refuse to change your opinions moreatTHICKadv. verb [V] to eat little or no food for a period of time, especially for religious reasons: Muslims fast during Ramadan. noun a period during which you do not eat food, especially for religious or health reasons: to go on a fast * to break (= end) your fast ______________________________ WHICHWORD? fast / quick / rapid These adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns: fast ~ quick ~ rapid ~ car glance change tab train look growth bowler reply increase grower decision decline pace method progress lane way development Fast is used especially to describe a person or thing that moves or is able to move at great speed. Quick is more often used to describe something that is done in a short time or without delay. Rapid, swift and speedy are more formal words. Rapid is most commonly used to describe the speed at which something changes. It is not used to describe the speed at which something moves or is done: a rapid train * We had a rapid coffee. Swift usually describes something that happens or is done quickly and immediately: a swift decision * The government took swift action. Speedy has a similar meaning: a speedy recovery. It is used less often to talk about the speed at which something moves: a speedy car. For the use of fast and quick as adverbs, see the usage note at quick. ______________________________