WordGarden.ioquickness
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /kwˈɪknəs/
US
- /ˈkwɪknəs/
Meanings
Noun
speed or rapidity of movement
the quality of acting or responding without delay
mental sharpness or fast understanding
Beyond the definition
Quickness is not just about being fast, but about how quickly you can react and move. Think of a cheetah chasing prey, able to go from stillness to full speed in moments. But this idea also applies to the mind. A student with quickness of thought can understand new ideas easily, while a comedian may rely on it to answer at just the right moment. It is the ability to act without delay, and that makes it useful in sports, problem-solving, and everyday life. You might admire the quickness of a hummingbird's wings or the quickness with which a skilled chef prepares a meal.
Quickness refers to the ability to move or react with speed and agility. It is more than just being fast; it includes both physical and mental speed. While it is often linked to sports - the quickness of a basketball player dribbling down the court, or a sprinter bursting from the starting blocks - it reaches far beyond athletics.
Consider "quickness of mind." This means being able to think fast and make decisions well. A detective might rely on quickness of wit to solve a case, while a business owner may need it to adapt to changing conditions. Quickness can also describe how fast something happens: "The sheer quickness with which the storm approached caught everyone off guard."
Historically, "quick" itself meant "alive" or "living," and this sense of vitality is still embedded within the idea of quickness. It suggests a responsiveness, an alertness, and a dynamic energy.
You might say someone has "remarkable quickness," praising their agility and speed. Or you could describe a situation as requiring "quick thinking" to overcome a challenge. Whether it is physical skill or mental sharpness, quickness is the quality of being able to act or respond without hesitation, a valuable asset in almost any part of life.
Examples
- 1
Sports
His quickness on the soccer field gives him a real advantage.
- 2
Email reply
We were surprised by the quickness of her reply to the email.
- 3
Magic trick
The trick works because of the magician's quickness of hand.
- 4
Mental skill
In that job, quickness of mind matters more than physical strength.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Negative tendency
Her quickness to blame other people often creates problems.
- Patternquickness to do X
a tendency to do it too soon or too easily
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- slowness
- sluggishness
Used with (collocations)
- quickness of response
- mental quickness
- with remarkable quickness
Word family
Explore
- reaction time
- acceleration
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- quicknessnoun