# fastest

/ˈfæstəst/ (US) · /fˈɑːstəst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fastest
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. highest speed

adjective · CEFR A1

quicker than all others in a group.

For teachers: surpassing all others in speed, velocity, or rate of motion.

- The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world.
- The engineering team focused on developing the fastest processor currently available on the consumer market.

Usage: Used with the definite article 'the' before a noun.

### 2. moving most quickly

adverb · CEFR A2

moving or working at the highest possible speed.

For teachers: performing an action with the greatest rapidity compared to others.

- Out of all the students, Maria finished the test fastest.
- The data suggests that the economy is growing fastest in the technology and renewable energy sectors.

Usage: Often follows the verb it modifies.

Teaching tip: While 'most quickly' is also correct, 'fastest' is very common in spoken English as an adverb.

## Examples

- He is the fastest runner in our school.
- The cheetah is the fastest land animal, reaching speeds that allow it to catch almost any prey.
- Engineers are constantly competing to design the fastest processor, knowing that even a millisecond of improvement can provide a significant edge in high-frequency trading markets.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.