quick (kwĭk)
adj., quick·er, quick·est.

1. Moving or functioning rapidly and energetically; speedy.
2. Learning, thinking, or understanding with speed and dexterity; bright: a quick mind.
3. 1. Perceiving or responding with speed and sensitivity; keen.
   2. Reacting immediately and sharply: a quick temper.
4. 1. Occurring, achieved, or acquired in a relatively brief period of time: a quick rise through the ranks; a quick profit.
   2. Done or occurring immediately: a quick inspection. See synonyms at fast¹.
5. Tending to react hastily: quick to find fault.
6. Archaic.
   1. Alive.
   2. Pregnant.

n.

1. Sensitive or raw exposed flesh, as under the fingernails.
2. The most personal and sensitive aspect of the emotions.
3. The living: the quick and the dead.
4. The vital core; the essence: got to the quick of the matter.

adv., quicker, quickest.
Quickly; promptly.

[Middle English, alive, lively, quick, from Old English cwicu, alive.]

quickly quick'ly adv.
quickness quick'ness n.

USAGE NOTE   In speech quick is commonly used as an adverb in phrases such as Come quick. In formal writing, however, quickly is required.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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