rapid

noun

(usually in the plural) A rough section of a river or stream which is difficult to navigate due to the swift and turbulent motion of the water.

(chess) Ellipsis of rapid chess. [(chess) Chess played at a relatively quick time control, with each side getting about 15 minutes to make their moves.]

(dated) A burst of rapid fire.

adjective

Very swift or quick.

Steep, changing altitude quickly. (of a slope)

Needing only a brief exposure time. (of a lens, plate, film, etc.)

(England, dialectal) Violent, severe.

(obsolete, dialectal) Happy.

adverb

(archaic, colloquial) Rapidly.

Roots

rapiorap- · Latin · seize, snatch

Synonyms for rapid

speedyadj quickadj fastadv swiftadj expeditiousadj alacritousadj instantaneousadj breakneckadj agileadj hurriedadj

Synonyms & related words for rapid

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Words related to rapid

Explore words related to rapid — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include rapidness, rapidly, rapidity, pacey, speediness, accelerated, hastiest, hastier. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for rapid

Common synonyms for rapid include speedy, quick, fast, swift, expeditious, alacritous, instantaneous, breakneck — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does rapid come from?

The word rapid breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root rap-, from Latin rapio (“seize, snatch”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.