Word
rapid
US/ˈɹæpəd/
UK/ɹˈæpɪd/
Definitions
01very quick
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.
日本語:速い※
“The city has seen rapid growth in the number of new businesses this year.”
“The patient showed a rapid recovery following the surgery, surprising the medical team with her regained strength within forty-eight hours.”
Usage
Often used in professional or academic contexts to describe change, growth, or progress.
02river feature
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
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.
“The kayakers had to be careful as they approached the dangerous rapids.”
“Navigating the Class IV rapids required immense technical skill and precise coordination between the members of the rafting crew.”
Usage
Almost always used in the plural form when referring to the section of the river.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rapid” in context.
Adjective
01. rapid change
“The technology sector is characterized by rapid change and constant innovation.”
adj + noun
02. rapid decline
“The population of the rare bird species has seen a rapid decline over the last decade.”
adj + noun
03. rapid development
“The city has undergone rapid development, with new skyscrapers appearing every year.”
adj + noun
04. rapid expansion
“The company's rapid expansion into Asian markets led to a significant increase in profits.”
adj + noun
05. rapid growth
“Economists are concerned about the sustainability of the country's rapid growth.”
adj + noun
06. rapid increase
“There has been a rapid increase in the number of people working from home.”
adj + noun
07. rapid progress
“The students are making rapid progress in their understanding of complex calculus.”
adj + noun
08. rapid rate
“Glaciers are melting at a rapid rate due to rising global temperatures.”
adj + noun
09. rapid rise
“The young politician's rapid rise to power surprised many veteran observers.”
adj + noun
10. rapid succession
“The team scored three goals in rapid succession, leaving the opponents stunned.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“The rapid rise in petrol prices caused by the Iran war has also caused interest in electric cars to spike around the world as a consumer spending measure.” “Pagers were originally used because they allowed for rapid information sharing.” “Misunderstandings and differences may also come with rapid growth.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French rapide and its etymon Latin rapidus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/rapid
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0