swift
- Moving or happening very quickly.
In a sentence
- The swift river current made it hard for the swimmers to stay in place.
- She gave a swift reply to the question without even stopping to think.
Usage note. 'Swift' often sounds more formal or literary than 'fast'; it is commonly used in fixed phrases like 'swift action' or 'swift response.'
Where it comes from
English swift · entered English pre-12th c.
From Old English 'swift,' meaning moving quickly, related to the verb 'swīfan' (to move in a course, sweep). It is a native Germanic word and has been used in English since before the 12th century.