WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
swift /swɪft/USA pronunciation
adj., -er, -est, adv., n.
adj.
adv.
n. [countable]
swift•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026adj.
- moving or able to move with great speed:a swift boat.
- coming, happening, or performed quickly:a swift decision.
- quick to act or respond:[often: be + ~ + to + verb]The president was swift to respond to the new crisis.
- [Slang.]smart;
clever.
adv.
- in a swift manner.
n. [countable]
- Birdsa long-winged, swallowlike bird.
swift•ness, n. [uncountable]
swift
(swift),USA pronunciation adj., -er, -est, adv., n.
adj.
adv.
n.
swift′ly, adv.
swift′ness, n.
Swift (swift),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
- moving or capable of moving with great speed or velocity;
fleet;
rapid:a swift ship. - coming, happening, or performed quickly or without delay:a swift decision.
- quick or prompt to act or respond:swift to jump to conclusions.
- [Slang.]quick to perceive or understand;
smart;
clever:You can't cheat him, he's too swift.
adv.
- swiftly.
n.
- Birdsany of numerous long-winged, swallowlike birds of the family Apodidae, related to the hummingbirds and noted for their rapid flight.
- BirdsSee tree swift.
- ReptilesSee spiny lizard.
- InsectsAlso called swift′ moth′, ghost moth. any of several brown or gray moths, the males of which are usually white, of the family Hepialidae, noted for rapid flight.
- an adjustable device upon which a hank of yarn is placed in order to wind off skeins or balls.
- the main cylinder on a machine for carding flax.
- bef. 900; Middle English (adjective, adjectival and adverb, adverbial), Old English (adjective, adjectival); akin to Old English swīfan to revolve, Old Norse svīfa to rove; see swivel
swift′ness, n.
- 1. speedy. See quick. 2. expeditious.
Swift (swift),USA pronunciation n.
- Biographical Gustavus Franklin, 1839–1903, U.S. meat packer.
- Biographical Jonathan ("Isaac Bickerstaff ''), 1667–1745, English satirist and clergyman, born in Ireland.
'swiftly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
beck
- big dipper
- career
- course
- dart
- fly
- ice skate
- jink
- overshoot
- quick
- roller skate
- run down
- rustle
- scour
- scud
- skate
- slip
- sound
- spin
- swift
- wing
- World War I
- apace
- arrive
- beat
- bullet
- clickety-clack
- clip
- clipper
- cut
- darter
- ejaculate
- fast
- flee
- fleet
- fleeting
- flit
- flying
- flying column
- heel
- jugular
- lash
- nuée ardente
- race
- rapid
- rove beetle
- takedown
- tide gate
- whirry
- whiz