WordGarden.ioquicken
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /kwˈɪkən/
US
- /ˈkwɪkən/
Meanings
Verb
to make something move, happen, or develop faster
to stir something into greater life, energy, or activity
Beyond the definition
Just as a shot of adrenaline can quicken your heartbeat, the word "quicken" means to make something happen faster or make it feel more alive. A good story can quicken your imagination, and a warm fire can quicken your spirits on a cold night. It does not always refer to physical speed; it can also describe a rise in mental or emotional energy.
The word has an interesting history; originally, "quicken" meant "to make alive" or "give life to." While that meaning is less common now, you can still see the connection in the old use "quickening," which refers to the first felt movements of a baby in the womb. Today, we use it more often to describe making something move, grow, or develop with greater energy or speed.
"Quicken" is a versatile word that means to increase the speed of something, make it more lively, or bring out more energy in it. It can be used in several different contexts, from physical actions to abstract ideas. For example, "The rain quickened our pace as we hurried home" means the rain made us walk faster.
As a verb, "quicken" implies an increase in rate or intensity. A good teacher might try to quicken students' interest in a difficult subject by using relatable examples. Similarly, a challenging task can quicken your mind and sharpen your focus. You could also say "The news quickened his resolve," meaning it stirred his determination and made it more active.
Historically, "quicken" also had a specific meaning related to pregnancy, referring to the stage when the mother first feels the baby move. While this use is less common in everyday conversation today, it helps show the word's core idea: coming to life, becoming active, or gaining force.
You might also encounter the term "quicksilver," which is another name for mercury—a silvery liquid metal known for its rapid, almost life-like movement. This connection reinforces the archaic sense of "quick" meaning "alive," which is the foundation of "quicken."
So, whether you're talking about a faster heartbeat, a more lively conversation, or a growing passion, "quicken" describes a rise in pace, life, or intensity. It suggests that something is not just moving, but becoming more active and full of energy.
Examples
- 1
Walking speed
She quickened her pace when the rain started.
- 2
Music rhythm
The rhythm quickened, and the crowd began to dance.
- 3
Physical reaction
His pulse quickened as he opened the exam results.
- 4
Project progress
The extra funding should quicken progress on the bridge.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Seasonal activity
The village quickened with tourists as summer approached.
- Patternquicken with + cause
become more active or lively because of it
See also
Similar
- accelerate
- speed up
- hasten
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- quicken the pace
- quicken the pulse
- quicken progress
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- quickenverb
Forms
- quickenedpast tenseverb
- quickening-ing formverb
- quickensverb