Fast vs. First — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
"Fast" refers to speed and quickness in actions or events, emphasizing rapidity; "first" denotes rank or sequence, specifically being ahead or top in order.
Difference Between Fast and First
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Fast" describes the quickness or high speed of an action or process, such as running fast or a fast internet connection, highlighting the efficiency or brevity in time taken. Whereas "first" indicates a position leading a sequence or ranking, like being the first in a line or the first to achieve something, focusing on priority or primacy in order.
In terms of application, "fast" is often used to describe the rate at which something happens or moves, suggesting a lesser amount of time required for completion. On the other hand, "first" is used to denote precedence in time, sequence, or importance, such as in historical achievements or competitions.
"Fast" can apply to various contexts like fast food, which is prepared and served quickly, or fast decisions, where little time is spent deliberating. In contrast, "first" can signify a pioneering achievement or status, such as the first person to climb a mountain, or the first issue of a magazine.
The quality of being fast may also relate to technology, as in fast computers and fast-loading websites, emphasizing performance related to speed. Whereas "first" often marks milestones or unique occurrences, such as a baby's first steps or the first moon landing.
Culturally, "fast" reflects a societal preference for speed and efficiency, prevalent in fast-paced lifestyles. Conversely, "first" often carries a prestige or honor, marking someone or something that sets a standard or breaks new ground.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
High speed, quick
Leading in sequence, rank, or importance
Usage
Describes rate or efficiency
Indicates precedence or primacy
Common Contexts
Technology, food, decisions
Milestones, competitions, historical events
Cultural Impact
Reflects preference for efficiency
Associated with prestige and honor
Examples
Fast runner, fast internet
First place, first edition
Compare with Definitions
Fast
Operating at high speed.
This computer is really fast.
First
Highest or top in rank or degree.
His first priority is his family.
Fast
Quick in movement or action.
The athlete ran incredibly fast.
First
Being the original.
This is the first edition of the novel.
Fast
Firmly fixed or attached.
The knot needs to be fast to hold properly.
First
Coming before all others in time, order, or importance.
She was the first to arrive at the meeting.
Fast
Done in quick succession.
He made a fast decision under pressure.
First
The initial occurrence of something.
His first attempt was successful.
Fast
Resistant to fading or decay.
The dye used in the fabric is fast.
First
Foremost in position or location.
Take the first left at the intersection.
Fast
Acting, moving, or capable of acting or moving quickly; swift.
First
The ordinal number matching the number one in a series.
Fast
Accomplished in relatively little time
A fast visit.
First
The one coming, occurring, or ranking before or above all others.
Fast
Acquired quickly with little effort and sometimes unscrupulously
Made a fast buck scalping tickets.
First
The beginning; the outset
From the first.
At first.
Fast
Quick to understand or learn; mentally agile
A class for the faster students.
First
(Music) The voice or instrument highest in pitch or carrying the principal part.
Fast
Indicating a time somewhat ahead of the actual time
The clock is fast.
First
The transmission gear or corresponding gear ratio used to produce the range of lowest drive speeds in a motor vehicle.
Fast
Allowing rapid movement or action
A fast running track.
First
The winning position in a contest
Finished the season in first.
Fast
Designed for or compatible with a short exposure time
Fast film.
First
First base.
Fast
Disposed to dissipation; wild
Ran with a fast crowd.
First
A first baseman.
Fast
Resistant, as to destruction or fading
Fast colors.
First
Corresponding in order to the number one.
Fast
Firmly fixed or fastened
A fast grip.
First
Coming before all others in order or location
The first house on your left.
Fast
Fixed firmly in place; secure
Shutters that are fast against the rain.
First
Occurring or acting before all others in time; earliest
The first day of spring.
Fast
Lasting; permanent
Fast rules and regulations.
First
Ranking above all others, as in importance or quality; foremost
Was first in the class.
Fast
Deep; sound
In a fast sleep.
First
(Music) Being highest in pitch or carrying the principal part
First trumpet.
Fast
In a secure manner; tightly
Hold fast.
First
Of, relating to, or being the transmission gear or corresponding gear ratio used to produce the range of lowest drive speeds in a motor vehicle.
Fast
To a sound degree; deeply
Fast asleep.
First
Of, related to, or being a member of the US president's household
First daughter Sasha Obama.
Fast
In a rapid manner; quickly.
First
Before or above all others in time, order, rank, or importance
Arrived first.
Forgot to light the oven first.
Fast
In quick succession
New ideas followed fast.
First
For the first time.
Fast
Ahead of the correct or expected time
A watch that runs fast.
First
Rather; preferably
Would die first.
Fast
In a dissipated, immoderate way
Living fast.
First
In the first place; to begin with; firstly.
Fast
(Archaic) Close by; near.
First
Preceding all others of a series or kind; the ordinal of one; earliest.
Hancock was first to arrive.
The first day of September 2013 was a Sunday.
I was the first runner to reach the finish line, and won the race.
Fast
To abstain from food.
First
Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest.
Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
The first violinist
Fast
To eat very little or abstain from certain foods, especially as a religious discipline.
First
Of or belonging to a first family.
Fast
The act or practice of abstaining from or eating very little food.
First
Before anything else; firstly.
Clean the sink first, before you even think of starting to cook.
I plunged nose first into the water.
Fast
A period of such abstention or self-denial.
First
For the first time.
I first witnessed a death when I was nine years old.
Fast
(dated) Firmly or securely fixed in place; stable.
That rope is dangerously loose. Make it fast!
First
Now.
Fast
Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art; impregnable; strong.
First
(uncountable) The person or thing in the first position.
He was the first to complete the course.
Fast
(of people) Steadfast, with unwavering feeling. (Now mostly in set phrases like fast friend(s).)
First
(uncountable) The first gear of an engine.
Fast
Moving with great speed, or capable of doing so; swift, rapid.
I am going to buy a fast car.
First
(countable) Something that has never happened before; a new occurrence.
This is a first. For once he has nothing to say.
Fast
Having a kinetic energy between 1 million and 20 million electron volts; often used to describe the energy state of free neutrons at the moment of their release by a nuclear fission or nuclear fusion reaction (i.e., before the neutrons have been slowed down by anything).
Plutonium-240 has a much higher fission cross-section for fast neutrons than for thermal neutrons.
First
First base
There was a close play at first.
Fast
Of a place, characterised by business, hustle and bustle, etc.
First
A first-class honours degree.
Fast
Causing unusual rapidity of play or action.
A fast racket, or tennis court
A fast track
A fast billiard table
A fast dance floor
First
A first-edition copy of some publication.
Fast
Able to transfer data in a short period of time.
First
(in combination) A fraction whose (integer) denominator ends in the digit 1.
One forty-first of the estate
Fast
Deep or sound (of sleep); fast asleep (of people).
First
(obsolete) Time; time granted; respite.
Fast
(of dyes or colours) Not running or fading when subjected to detrimental conditions such as wetness or intense light; permanent.
All the washing has come out pink. That red tee-shirt was not fast.
First
Preceding all others of a series or kind; the ordinal of one; earliest; as, the first day of a month; the first year of a reign.
Fast
(obsolete) Tenacious; retentive.
First
Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.
Fast
(dated) Having an extravagant lifestyle or immoral habits.
A fast woman
First
Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest; as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
It is the intention of the person to reveal it at first hand, by way of mouth, to yourself.
See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprungFrom thy implanted grace in man!
Fast
Ahead of the correct time or schedule.
There must be something wrong with the hall clock. It is always fast.
First
Before any other person or thing in time, space, rank, etc.; - much used in composition with adjectives and participles.
Adam was first formed, then Eve.
And all are fools and lovers first or last.
Fast
(of photographic film) More sensitive to light than average.
First
The upper part of a duet, trio, etc., either vocal or instrumental; - so called because it generally expresses the air, and has a preëminence in the combined effect.
Fast
In a firm or secure manner, securely; in such a way as not to be moved; safe, sound .
Hold this rope as fast as you can.
First
The first or highest in an ordering or series;
He wanted to be the first
Fast
(of sleeping) Deeply or soundly .
He is fast asleep.
First
The first element in a countable series;
The first of the month
Fast
Immediately following in place or time; close, very near .
The horsemen came fast on our heels.
Fast by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped. / That ain't my style, said Casey. Strike one, the umpire said.
First
The time at which something is supposed to begin;
They got an early start
She knew from the get-go that he was the man for her
Fast
Quickly, with great speed; within a short time .
Do it as fast as you can.
First
The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first base
Fast
Ahead of the correct time or schedule.
I think my watch is running fast.
First
An honours degree of the highest class
Fast
A train that calls at only some stations it passes between its origin and destination, typically just the principal stations
First
The lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving
Fast
The act or practice of fasting, religious abstinence from food
First
Preceding all others in time or space or degree;
The first house on the right
The first day of spring
His first political race
Her first baby
The first time
The first meetings of the new party
The first phase of his training
The last time I saw Paris
The last day of the month
Had the last word
Waited until the last minute
He raised his voice in a last supreme call
The last game of the season
Down to his last nickel
Fast
One of the fasting periods in the liturgical year
First
Indicating the beginning unit in a series
Fast
(archery) Short for "stand fast", a warning not to pass between the arrow and the target
First
Serving to set in motion;
The magazine's inaugural issue
The initiative phase in the negotiations
An initiatory step toward a treaty
His first (or maiden) speech in Congress
The liner's maiden voyage
Fast
(intransitive) To practice religious abstinence, especially from food.
First
Serving to begin;
The beginning canto of the poem
The first verse
Fast
To reduce or limit one's nutrition intake for medical or health reasons, to diet.
First
Ranking above all others;
Was first in her class
The foremost figure among marine artists
The top graduate
Fast
To abstain from food; to omit to take nourishment in whole or in part; to go hungry.
Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting waked.
First
Highest in pitch or chief among parts or voices or instruments or orchestra sections;
First soprano
The first violin section
Played first horn
Fast
To practice abstinence as a religious exercise or duty; to abstain from food voluntarily for a time, for the mortification of the body or appetites, or as a token of grief, or humiliation and penitence.
Thou didst fast and weep for the child.
First
Being the gear producing the lowest drive speed;
Use first gear on steep hills
Fast
Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
Surfeit is the father of much fast.
First
Before anything else;
First we must consider the garter snake
Fast
Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious humiliation.
First
The initial time;
When Felix first saw a garter snake
Fast
A time of fasting, whether a day, week, or longer time; a period of abstinence from food or certain kinds of food; as, an annual fast.
First
Before another in time, space, or importance;
I was here first
Let's do this job first
Fast
Firmly fixed; closely adhering; made firm; not loose, unstable, or easily moved; immovable; as, to make fast the door.
There is an order that keeps things fast.
First
Prominently forward;
He put his best foot foremost
Fast
Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art; impregnable; strong.
Outlaws . . . lurking in woods and fast places.
Fast
Firm in adherence; steadfast; not easily separated or alienated; faithful; as, a fast friend.
Fast
Permanent; not liable to fade by exposure to air or by washing; durable; lasting; as, fast colors.
Fast
Tenacious; retentive.
Roses, damask and red, are fast flowers of their smells.
Fast
Not easily disturbed or broken; deep; sound.
All this while in a most fast sleep.
Fast
Moving rapidly; quick in mition; rapid; swift; as, a fast horse.
Fast
Given to pleasure seeking; disregardful of restraint; reckless; wild; dissipated; dissolute; as, a fast man; a fast liver.
Fast
In such a condition, as to resilience, etc., as to make possible unusual rapidity of play or action; as, a fast racket, or tennis court; a fast track; a fast billiard table, etc.
Fast
In a fast, fixed, or firmly established manner; fixedly; firmly; immovably.
We will bind thee fast.
Fast
In a fast or rapid manner; quickly; swiftly; extravagantly; wildly; as, to run fast; to live fast.
He, after Eve seduced, unminded slunkInto the wood fast by.
Fast by the throne obsequious Fame resides.
Fast
Abstaining from food
Fast
Abstain from certain foods, as for religious or medical reasons;
Catholics sometimes fast during Lent
Fast
Abstain from eating;
Before the medical exam, you must fast
Fast
Acting or moving or capable of acting or moving quickly;
Fast film
On the fast track in school
Set a fast pace
A fast car
Fast
(used of timepieces) indicating a time ahead of or later than the correct time;
My watch is fast
Fast
At a rapid tempo;
The band played a fast fox trot
Fast
(of surfaces) conducive to rapid speeds;
A fast road
Grass courts are faster than clay
Fast
Firmly fastened or secured against opening;
Windows and doors were all fast
A locked closet
Left the house properly secured
Fast
Resistant to destruction or fading;
Fast colors
Fast
Unrestrained by convention or morality;
Congreve draws a debauched aristocratic society
Deplorably dissipated and degraded
Riotous living
Fast women
Fast
Hurried and brief;
Paid a flying visit
Took a flying glance at the book
A quick inspection
A fast visit
Fast
Securely fixed in place;
The post was still firm after being hit by the car
Fast
Unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause;
A firm ally
Loyal supporters
The true-hearted soldier...of Tippecanoe
Fast friends
Fast
Quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form);
How fast can he get here?
Ran as fast as he could
Needs medical help fast
Fast-running rivers
Fast-breaking news
Fast-opening (or fast-closing) shutters
Fast
Firmly or tightly;
Held fast to the rope
Her foot was stuck fast
Held tight
Common Curiosities
Why is being 'first' significant in competitions?
Being first in competitions signifies winning or leading, often associated with the highest honor.
Does 'fast' always imply positive outcomes?
Not necessarily; while efficiency is valued, too fast can lead to mistakes or oversights.
What does it mean to be fast in a sport?
In sports, being fast typically refers to quickness and speed, essential for outpacing competitors.
How is the term 'first' used in achievements?
'First' is used to denote someone achieving or accomplishing something before anyone else.
Is fast food healthy?
Fast food is convenient but often criticized for nutritional shortcomings.
What are historical implications of being first?
Historically, being the first can mean setting precedents or breaking barriers, often remembered and celebrated.
What examples show the cultural importance of being first?
Cultural examples include being the first to explore space or the first to introduce a groundbreaking technology.
Can 'fast' relate to personality?
Yes, someone can be described as fast if they are quick-witted or react swiftly to situations.
What does it mean to have a fast internet connection?
A fast internet connection refers to high data transmission speeds, enhancing user experience.
How does 'first' impact legal rights?
'First' can have legal implications, such as in patents, where the first to file holds the rights.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
