Word
quickly
Phoneticsquick·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkwɪkɫi/
UK/kwˈɪkli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01with speed
A1 · Beginner
adv. at a fast speed.
adv. at a high rate of speed; rapidly.
“She walked quickly to the bus stop because she was late for work.”
“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'.
Antonyms
02very soon
A2 · Elementary
adv. after a very short time.
adv. within a short space of time; soon.
“The doctor said the medicine would work quickly to stop the pain.”
“The initial excitement surrounding the product launch faded quickly once consumers realised the software was still in its beta phase.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “quickly” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English quykly, quikliche, quicliche, cwikliche, cwickliche, from Old English cwiculīċe. By surface analysis, quick + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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