rapid
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.happening very quickly or moving at high speed.
adj.characterised by great speed or occurring within a short period of time.
Simple“The city has seen rapid growth in the number of new businesses this year.”
In context“The patient showed a rapid recovery following the surgery, surprising the medical team with her regained strength within forty-eight hours.”
UsageOften used in professional or academic contexts to describe change, growth, or progress.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a part of a river where the water moves very fast and becomes rough as it flows over rocks.
n.a section of a river where the gradient increases enough to cause turbulence and increased velocity, typically over a rocky bed.
Simple“The kayakers had to be careful as they approached the dangerous rapids.”
In context“Navigating the Class IV rapids required immense technical skill and precise coordination between the members of the rafting crew.”
UsageAlmost always used in the plural form when referring to the section of the river.
Synonymswhitewatercurrent
Usage rapid adoption · rapid response · rapid spread
Borrowed from Middle French rapide and its etymon Latin rapidus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.