ENGLISH
REFERENCE

quickly

adv.
US //ˈkwɪkɫi// UK //kwˈɪkli// quick·ly
  1. 1 with speed (adv.)
    A1 Beginner

    at a fast speed.

    at a high rate of speed; rapidly.

    Example

    She walked quickly to the bus stop because she was late for work.

    Example

    The emergency services responded quickly to the call, arriving at the scene within minutes of the initial report.

    Usage

    Typically follows the verb it modifies, though it can precede it for emphasis.

    Pitfall
    He ran quick to the station.
    He ran quickly to the station.

    In formal writing, use the adverb 'quickly' to describe an action rather than the adjective 'quick'.

  2. 2 very soon (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    after a very short time.

    within a short space of time; soon.

    Example

    The doctor said the medicine would work quickly to stop the pain.

    Example

    The initial excitement surrounding the product launch faded quickly once consumers realised the software was still in its beta phase.

Origin

From Middle English quykly, quikliche, quicliche, cwikliche, cwickliche, from Old English cwiculīċe. By surface analysis, quick + -ly.

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