adverb
rapidly
Very quickly.
The river rises rapidly as heavy rain falls across the valley.
Etymology
Latin rapidus means rushing or swift. The adverb describes an action as moving or happening at that high speed.
More examples
- Prices are rising rapidly in many cities.
- She rapidly scans the report for errors.
- The infection spreads rapidly without treatment.
Forms
rapidly · more rapidly · most rapidly
rapid adjective — Moving or happening with great speed.
Similar words
- quickly
- Describes speed without necessarily emphasizing how fast something happens.
- swiftly
- Often emphasizes fast movement rather than fast change or growth.