Quick vs. Fast — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
Quick often refers to a short duration or immediate response, while Fast relates to speed or the rate of movement.
Difference Between Quick and Fast
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Quick implies promptness or a short amount of time, often suggesting immediacy. Fast, while also denoting speed, primarily indicates a high rate of motion or action over a period.
In many situations, Quick and Fast can be interchangeable. For instance, one might say a "quick response" or a "fast response" with similar meanings. However, subtle nuances differentiate the two. For example, "quick thinking" implies immediacy in thought, while "fast thinking" suggests rapid processing over time.
Another distinction arises in certain set phrases. One might have a "quick look" at something, suggesting a brief glance. In contrast, a "fast car" denotes a vehicle with a high top speed, not one you'd glance at briefly.
Furthermore, the usage of Quick and Fast can differ in various contexts. You might say someone has a "quick wit," implying they respond promptly with humor or insight. On the other hand, "fast runner" suggests someone who runs at a high speed, not necessarily someone who starts running immediately.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Immediate or prompt
Speed or rapidity
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Duration vs. Speed
Often refers to a short duration
Often refers to a sustained speed
Example Phrases
Quick look, quick wit
Fast car, fast runner
Usage
More versatile as an adjective and adverb
Commonly used as an adjective and adverb
Set Phrases
Quick on one's feet
Fast asleep
Compare with Definitions
Quick
Occurring in a short time.
It was a quick trip to the store.
Fast
Firmly fixed or held.
The knot was fast and wouldn't come undone.
Quick
Sharp or brisk in nature.
She has a quick temper when provoked.
Fast
Living an active or hard-partying lifestyle.
He lived a fast life in his youth.
Quick
Lively or energetic.
The puppy is very quick and playful.
Fast
Acting, moving, or capable of acting or moving quickly; swift.
Quick
Moving fast or doing something in a short time
He was always quick to point out her faults
In the qualifying session he was two seconds quicker than his teammate
Fast
Accomplished in relatively little time
A fast visit.
Quick
Prompt to understand, think, or learn; intelligent
It was quick of him to spot the mistake
Fast
Acquired quickly with little effort and sometimes unscrupulously
Made a fast buck scalping tickets.
Quick
At a fast rate; quickly
He'll find some place where he can make money quicker
Get out, quick!
Fast
Quick to understand or learn; mentally agile
A class for the faster students.
Quick
The soft tender flesh below the growing part of a fingernail or toenail.
Fast
Indicating a time somewhat ahead of the actual time
The clock is fast.
Quick
Those who are living
The quick and the dead
Fast
Allowing rapid movement or action
A fast running track.
Quick
A fast bowler.
Fast
Designed for or compatible with a short exposure time
Fast film.
Quick
Moving or functioning rapidly and energetically; speedy
An animal that is quick enough to escape most predators.
Fast
Disposed to dissipation; wild
Ran with a fast crowd.
Quick
Learning, thinking, or understanding with speed and dexterity; bright
A quick mind.
Fast
Flouting conventional moral standards; sexually promiscuous.
Quick
Perceiving or responding with speed and sensitivity; keen
Quick reflexes.
Fast
Resistant, as to destruction or fading
Fast colors.
Quick
Reacting immediately and sharply
A quick temper.
Fast
Firmly fixed or fastened
A fast grip.
Quick
Occurring, achieved, or acquired in a relatively brief period of time
A quick rise through the ranks.
A quick profit.
Fast
Fixed firmly in place; secure
Shutters that are fast against the rain.
Quick
Done or occurring immediately
A quick inspection. ].
Fast
Lasting; permanent
Fast rules and regulations.
Quick
Moving with speed, rapidity or swiftness, or capable of doing so; rapid; fast.
I ran to the station – but I wasn't quick enough.
He's a quick runner.
Fast
Deep; sound
In a fast sleep.
Quick
Occurring in a short time; happening or done rapidly.
That was a quick meal.
Fast
In a secure manner; tightly
Hold fast.
Quick
Lively, fast-thinking, witty, intelligent.
You have to be very quick to be able to compete in ad-lib theatrics.
Fast
To a sound degree; deeply
Fast asleep.
Quick
Mentally agile, alert, perceptive.
My father is old but he still has a quick wit.
Fast
In a rapid manner; quickly.
Quick
Of temper: easily aroused to anger; quick-tempered.
He is wont to be rather quick of temper when tired.
Fast
In quick succession
New ideas followed fast.
Quick
(archaic) Alive, living.
Fast
Ahead of the correct or expected time
A watch that runs fast.
Quick
Pregnant, especially at the stage where the foetus's movements can be felt; figuratively, alive with some emotion or feeling.
Fast
In a dissipated, immoderate way
Living fast.
Quick
Of water: flowing.
Fast
(Archaic) Close by; near.
Quick
Burning, flammable, fiery.
Fast
To abstain from food.
Quick
Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen.
Fast
To eat very little or abstain from certain foods, especially as a religious discipline.
Quick
Productive; not "dead" or barren
Fast
The act or practice of abstaining from or eating very little food.
Quick
Quickly, in a quick manner.
Get rich quick.
Come here, quick!
Fast
A period of such abstention or self-denial.
Quick
Answer quickly.
Fast
(dated) Firmly or securely fixed in place; stable.
That rope is dangerously loose. Make it fast!
Quick
Raw or sensitive flesh, especially that underneath finger and toe nails.
Fast
Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art; impregnable; strong.
Quick
Plants used in making a quickset hedge
Fast
(of people) Steadfast, with unwavering feeling. (Now mostly in set phrases like fast friend(s).)
Quick
The life; the mortal point; a vital part; a part susceptible to serious injury or keen feeling.
Fast
Moving with great speed, or capable of doing so; swift, rapid.
I am going to buy a fast car.
Quick
Quitchgrass.
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.
Quick
(cricket) A fast bowler.
Fast
Of a place, characterised by business, hustle and bustle, etc.
Quick
(transitive) To amalgamate surfaces prior to gilding or silvering by dipping them into a solution of mercury in nitric acid.
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
Quick
To quicken.
Fast
Able to transfer data in a short period of time.
Quick
Alive; living; animate; - opposed to dead or inanimate.
Not fully quyke, ne fully dead they were.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
Man is no star, but a quick coalOf mortal fire.
Fast
Deep or sound (of sleep); fast asleep (of people).
Quick
Characterized by life or liveliness; animated; sprightly; agile; brisk; ready.
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.
Quick
Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow; as, be quick.
Oft he her his charge of quick returnRepeated.
Fast
(obsolete) Tenacious; retentive.
Quick
Impatient; passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp; unceremonious; as, a quick temper.
The bishop was somewhat quick with them, and signified that he was much offended.
Fast
(dated) Having an extravagant lifestyle or immoral habits.
A fast woman
Quick
Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen.
The air is quick there,And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.
Fast
Ahead of the correct time or schedule.
There must be something wrong with the hall clock. It is always fast.
Quick
Sensitive; perceptive in a high degree; ready; as, a quick ear.
They say that women are so quick.
Fast
(of photographic film) More sensitive to light than average.
Quick
Pregnant; with child.
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.
Quick
In a quick manner; quickly; promptly; rapidly; with haste; speedily; without delay; as, run quick; get back quick.
If we consider how very quick the actions of the mind are performed.
Fast
(of sleeping) Deeply or soundly .
He is fast asleep.
Quick
That which is quick, or alive; a living animal or plant; especially, the hawthorn, or other plants used in making a living hedge.
The works . . . are curiously hedged with quick.
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.
Quick
The life; the mortal point; a vital part; a part susceptible of serious injury or keen feeling; the sensitive living flesh; the part of a finger or toe to which the nail is attached; the tender emotions; as, to cut a finger nail to the quick; to thrust a sword to the quick, to taunt one to the quick; - used figuratively.
This test nippeth, . . . this toucheth the quick.
How feebly and unlike themselves they reason when they come to the quick of the difference !
Fast
Quickly, with great speed; within a short time .
Do it as fast as you can.
Quick
Quitch grass.
Fast
Ahead of the correct time or schedule.
I think my watch is running fast.
Quick
To revive; to quicken; to be or become alive.
Fast
A train that calls at only some stations it passes between its origin and destination, typically just the principal stations
Quick
Any area of the body that is highly sensitive to pain (as the flesh underneath the skin or a fingernail or toenail)
Fast
The act or practice of fasting, religious abstinence from food
Quick
Accomplished rapidly and without delay;
Was quick to make friends
His quick reaction prevented an accident
Hoped for a speedy resolution of the problem
A speedy recovery
He has a right to a speedy trial
Fast
One of the fasting periods in the liturgical year
Quick
Hurried and brief;
Paid a flying visit
Took a flying glance at the book
A quick inspection
A fast visit
Fast
(archery) Short for "stand fast", a warning not to pass between the arrow and the target
Quick
Moving quickly and lightly;
Sleek and agile as a gymnast
As nimble as a deer
Nimble fingers
Quick of foot
The old dog was so spry it was halfway up the stairs before we could stop it
Fast
(intransitive) To practice religious abstinence, especially from food.
Quick
Apprehending and responding with speed and sensitivity;
A quick mind
A ready wit
Fast
To reduce or limit one's nutrition intake for medical or health reasons, to diet.
Quick
Performed with little or no delay;
An immediate reply to my letter
Prompt obedience
Was quick to respond
A straightaway denial
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.
Quick
Easily aroused or excited;
A quick temper
A warm temper
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.
Quick
With little or no delay;
The rescue squad arrived promptly
Come here, quick!
Fast
Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
Surfeit is the father of much fast.
Quick
Acting or done with promptness.
She made a quick decision to help.
Fast
Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious humiliation.
Quick
Reacting immediately.
His quick reflexes saved the day.
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.
Fast
That which fastens or holds; especially, (Naut.) a mooring rope, hawser, or chain; - called, according to its position, a bow, head, quarter, breast, or stern fast; also, a post on a pier around which hawsers are passed in mooring.
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.
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
Fast
Moving at high speed.
The train was incredibly fast.
Fast
Lasting a short time.
The event was over fast.
Common Curiosities
Can Fast refer to time duration like Quick?
Yes, e.g., "The summer went by fast."
Is Fast only about speed?
Mostly, but it can also mean firmly fixed, as in "hold fast," or abstaining from food.
Can Quick and Fast be used interchangeably?
Often, yes, but nuances may differ, like "quick decision" (prompt) vs. "fast runner" (speedy).
Can you explain the phrase "fast asleep"?
It means deeply asleep and not easily awakened, not sleeping quickly.
Which is more versatile in usage, Quick or Fast?
Both are versatile, but Quick can be slightly more versatile in various contexts.
Is there a difference between a "quick thinker" and a "fast thinker"?
Subtly, yes. "Quick" suggests immediacy in response, while "fast" implies rapid processing over time.
Can Fast be used to describe a lifestyle?
Yes, like "living life in the fast lane" indicating a risky or partying lifestyle.
Does Quick always mean something is done in a short time?
Primarily, yes, but it can also refer to immediacy, like a quick response.
Does Quick always suggest speed?
Not always. It can mean promptness or immediacy without necessarily being speedy.
Can I use Fast in a context of food?
Yes, "fast" can mean to abstain from food or drink.
Can Fast ever refer to firmness or stability?
Yes, like in "hold fast" meaning to remain firm.
Why might someone have a "quick glance" but not a "fast glance"?
"Quick" often implies briefness or a short duration, while "fast" relates more to speed.
Is "quick" ever used to describe temperament?
Yes, as in "quick temper," meaning easily angered.
What's a common context for using Quick but not Fast?
"Quick on one's feet" suggesting agility in thought or movement.
Do both Quick and Fast have origins in Old English?
Yes, both words have roots in Old English, with "Quick" originally meaning "alive" and "Fast" meaning "firm, steadfast."
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Written 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.
