Word Adverb
swiftly
adv.
manner
B1 Intermediate US /ˈswɪftɫi/ UK /swˈɪftli/ swift·ly
Definition
adv.in a fast way; moving or happening quickly. You use it to describe speed without sounding too formal.
adv.in a rapid manner; with speed. Typically placed after the main verb or at the end of the clause.
Examples
“The car moved swiftly down the road.”
“She swiftly answered the phone before it could ring a second time.”
“The government acted swiftly to contain the outbreak, implementing strict travel restrictions within hours of the first confirmed case.”
Etymology
From Middle English swiftly, swyftely, swiftliche, from Old English swiftlīċe (“swiftly”), equivalent to swift + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Old English swiftlīċe
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated