Rapidly vs. Fast — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
"Rapidly" describes a quick rate of change over time, emphasizing progression, while "fast" is a general term for quickness, applicable to both speed and rate.
Difference Between Rapidly and Fast
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Rapidly" often pertains to the rate at which something changes or progresses over time, such as in "The technology is evolving rapidly." In contrast, "fast" is used more broadly to describe high speed or quick action in various contexts, like "The car drives fast."
When something happens "rapidly," it suggests a continuous or sequential progression, emphasizing the dynamic aspect of change, as in biological growth. On the other hand, "fast" can refer to static conditions as well, such as "He is a fast runner," which describes an inherent trait.
The use of "rapidly" can imply a sense of urgency and acceleration in processes, evident in phrases like "Rapidly increasing prices." Whereas "fast" might denote more of an instantaneous state without the implication of change over time, for instance, "He answered fast."
In scientific and formal writings, "rapidly" is preferred to describe processes and changes with precision, as in "The reaction proceeds rapidly." Conversely, "fast" is used in everyday language and offers versatility in various contexts, such as "She reads very fast."
"Rapidly" is often used adverbially to modify verbs directly related to processes or changes, signaling the manner of the action. Meanwhile, "fast" serves both as an adverb and an adjective, providing a broader range of application, like in "Work fast" or "fast service."
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adverb
Adverb, adjective
Usage Context
Change over time, process orientation
Speed, quickness in various contexts
Common in
Formal, scientific writings
Informal, everyday language
Implication
Urgency, acceleration
Instantaneity, inherent quickness
Examples
"Sales are increasing rapidly."
"He runs fast."
Compare with Definitions
Rapidly
Increasing quickly in amount.
The company's profits were growing rapidly.
Fast
Abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink.
He fasts every Monday.
Rapidly
Happening in a short time or at a great rate.
The project advanced rapidly.
Fast
Firmly fixed or attached.
The knot was too fast to untie.
Rapidly
Moving or acting with speed.
She spoke so rapidly I barely understood.
Fast
Quick to react or respond.
She was fast in her decision-making.
Rapidly
Occurring within a brief period.
Changes were implemented rapidly.
Fast
Moving or capable of moving at high speed.
He is known for his fast driving.
Rapidly
Developing quickly.
The city is expanding rapidly.
Fast
(of a person) living a dissipated life.
He led a fast life in his youth.
Rapidly
Moving, acting, or occurring with great speed. ]
Fast
Acting, moving, or capable of acting or moving quickly; swift.
Rapidly
With speed; in a rapid manner.
She packed her case rapidly and hurried out.
Fast
Accomplished in relatively little time
A fast visit.
Rapidly
In a rapid manner.
Fast
Acquired quickly with little effort and sometimes unscrupulously
Made a fast buck scalping tickets.
Rapidly
With rapid movements;
He works quickly
Fast
Quick to understand or learn; mentally agile
A class for the faster students.
Fast
Indicating a time somewhat ahead of the actual time
The clock is fast.
Fast
Allowing rapid movement or action
A fast running track.
Fast
Designed for or compatible with a short exposure time
Fast film.
Fast
Disposed to dissipation; wild
Ran with a fast crowd.
Fast
Resistant, as to destruction or fading
Fast colors.
Fast
Firmly fixed or fastened
A fast grip.
Fast
Fixed firmly in place; secure
Shutters that are fast against the rain.
Fast
Lasting; permanent
Fast rules and regulations.
Fast
Deep; sound
In a fast sleep.
Fast
In a secure manner; tightly
Hold fast.
Fast
To a sound degree; deeply
Fast asleep.
Fast
In a rapid manner; quickly.
Fast
In quick succession
New ideas followed fast.
Fast
Ahead of the correct or expected time
A watch that runs fast.
Fast
In a dissipated, immoderate way
Living fast.
Fast
(Archaic) Close by; near.
Fast
To abstain from food.
Fast
To eat very little or abstain from certain foods, especially as a religious discipline.
Fast
The act or practice of abstaining from or eating very little food.
Fast
A period of such abstention or self-denial.
Fast
(dated) Firmly or securely fixed in place; stable.
That rope is dangerously loose. Make it fast!
Fast
Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art; impregnable; strong.
Fast
(of people) Steadfast, with unwavering feeling. (Now mostly in set phrases like fast friend(s).)
Fast
Moving with great speed, or capable of doing so; swift, rapid.
I am going to buy a fast car.
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.
Fast
Of a place, characterised by business, hustle and bustle, etc.
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
Fast
Able to transfer data in a short period of time.
Fast
Deep or sound (of sleep); fast asleep (of people).
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.
Fast
(obsolete) Tenacious; retentive.
Fast
(dated) Having an extravagant lifestyle or immoral habits.
A fast woman
Fast
Ahead of the correct time or schedule.
There must be something wrong with the hall clock. It is always fast.
Fast
(of photographic film) More sensitive to light than average.
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.
Fast
(of sleeping) Deeply or soundly .
He is fast asleep.
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.
Fast
Quickly, with great speed; within a short time .
Do it as fast as you can.
Fast
Ahead of the correct time or schedule.
I think my watch is running fast.
Fast
A train that calls at only some stations it passes between its origin and destination, typically just the principal stations
Fast
The act or practice of fasting, religious abstinence from food
Fast
One of the fasting periods in the liturgical year
Fast
(archery) Short for "stand fast", a warning not to pass between the arrow and the target
Fast
(intransitive) To practice religious abstinence, especially from food.
Fast
To reduce or limit one's nutrition intake for medical or health reasons, to diet.
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.
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.
Fast
Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
Surfeit is the father of much fast.
Fast
Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious humiliation.
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
Common Curiosities
How do "rapidly" and "fast" differ in scientific contexts?
Answer: In scientific contexts, "rapidly" is often used to describe dynamic processes or changes, whereas "fast" can denote speed or rate without temporal implications.
What is the primary usage of "rapidly"?
Answer: "Rapidly" is primarily used to describe something happening at a quick pace, especially over time.
What makes "rapidly" suitable for describing technological advancements?
Answer: "Rapidly" is suitable because it emphasizes the progression and speed of ongoing changes, which is characteristic of technological growth.
Can "rapidly" be used as an adjective?
Answer: No, "rapidly" is strictly an adverb.
What contexts are appropriate for using "fast"?
Answer: "Fast" can be used in both informal and formal contexts, referring to speed or quickness in various situations.
Is "rapidly" used in everyday conversation?
Answer: "Rapidly" is less common in casual speech compared to "fast" and is more often found in formal or written contexts.
What is the difference in usage between "fast" as an adverb and "fast" as an adjective?
Answer: As an adverb, "fast" describes the manner of an action (e.g., "He runs fast"), whereas as an adjective, it describes the inherent qualities of nouns (e.g., "fast car").
How does "fast" function as an adjective?
Answer: As an adjective, "fast" describes something or someone possessing a high speed or quickness.
Which is more formal, "rapidly" or "fast"?
Answer: "Rapidly" is generally considered more formal than "fast."
Can "fast" be used metaphorically?
Answer: Yes, "fast" can be used metaphorically, as in describing someone who is "fast" in understanding concepts, meaning they grasp things quickly.
Can "fast" refer to durations?
Answer: Yes, "fast" can refer to the duration of an action, often implying that it is shorter than expected, as in "time flies fast."
Is there a difference in emotional connotation between "rapidly" and "fast"?
Answer: "Rapidly" might convey a sense of urgency or alarm, especially in contexts like growth or increase, whereas "fast" is more neutral and focused on the speed itself.
How does the use of "fast" in sports compare to "rapidly"?
Answer: In sports, "fast" is commonly used to describe quick movements or speeds, like "fast runner," while "rapidly" is less common but might be used to describe the pace of improvement or growth in skill.
Does "rapidly" always suggest positive changes?
Answer: No, "rapidly" does not always suggest positive changes; it can also indicate negative developments, such as "rapidly declining health."
Can "fast" and "rapidly" be used interchangeably in some contexts?
Answer: While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, especially in informal contexts, "rapidly" and "fast" often carry different nuances, particularly regarding the progression over time versus instantaneous states.
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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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
