Word
swiftly
Phoneticsswift·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈswɪftɫi/
UK/swˈɪftli/
Adverb of manner
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.”
Examples
simple
“The car moved swiftly down the road.”
contextual
“She swiftly answered the phone before it could ring a second time.”
complex
“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.
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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