Sped vs. Speed — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
Sped is the simple past tense and past participle of "speed," indicating rapid motion; speed refers to the rate of motion or progress.
Difference Between Sped and Speed
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sped refers to the past action of moving quickly or being quick, typically used to describe something that has already happened. Whereas, speed is a noun that describes the rate at which an object moves or operates in the present or general sense.
Sped is used in contexts where an action related to quick movement has been completed, such as in narratives or reports of past events. On the other hand, speed can refer to ongoing or static situations, such as the speed of a car or an internet connection.
Sped can also imply urgency or haste in completing an action in the past, giving a sense of rapid completion. While, speed might not necessarily convey urgency but rather the capability or state of moving quickly.
Sped is less frequently used in everyday conversation, often appearing in written reports or literature. Whereas, speed is commonly used in both spoken and written English, applicable in various technical and everyday contexts.
Sped conveys a completed action, which can be used to build narrative or describe sequences in storytelling. In contrast, speed is often used in planning and real-time assessments, such as measuring or observing.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb (simple past and past participle)
Noun (commonly), Verb (present form)
Usage
Describes past actions
Describes current or general state
Context
Completed actions, narratives
Ongoing actions, technical settings
Frequency in Speech
Less common
More common
Implication
Urgency, rapid completion
Capability, condition of being quick
Compare with Definitions
Sped
Acted swiftly to complete.
He sped through the paperwork to meet the deadline.
Speed
Rate of movement.
The speed of the wind was increasing.
Sped
Moved quickly (past tense of speed).
She sped past the finish line in record time.
Speed
Methamphetamine (slang).
Speed is a dangerous drug.
Sped
Hastened, made faster.
The process was sped up to save time.
Speed
Quickness of action or operation.
The speed of his response was impressive.
Sped
Driven at high speed.
The car sped down the highway.
Speed
To cause to move quickly.
She speeds along the freeway every morning.
Sped
Sent rapidly.
The message was sped to its destination.
Speed
A gear ratio in a vehicle.
His bike has 21 speeds.
Sped
A past tense and a past participle of speed.
Speed
In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as v) of an object is the magnitude of the rate of change of its position with time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time; it is thus a scalar quantity. The average speed of an object in an interval of time is the distance travelled by the object divided by the duration of the interval; the instantaneous speed is the limit of the average speed as the duration of the time interval approaches zero.
Sped
Simple past tense and past participle of speed
Speed
The rate at which someone or something moves or operates or is able to move or operate
We turned on to the runway and began to gather speed
The car has a top speed of 147 mph
An engine running at full speed
Sped
A special education student, usually an autistic person.
Speed
Each of the possible gear ratios of a bicycle.
Speed
The light-gathering power or f-number of a camera lens.
Speed
An amphetamine drug, especially methamphetamine.
Speed
Success; prosperity
Wish me good speed
Speed
Move quickly
I got into the car and home we sped
Speed
Make prosperous or successful
May God speed you
Speed
Take or be under the influence of an amphetamine drug
More kids than ever are speeding, tripping, and getting stoned
Speed
Distance traveled divided by the time of travel.
Speed
The limit of this quotient as the time of travel becomes vanishingly small; the first derivative of distance with respect to time.
Speed
The magnitude of a velocity.
Speed
Swiftness of action
He wrote the first chapter with great speed.
Speed
The act of moving rapidly
Finished the race in a burst of speed.
Speed
The state of being in rapid motion; rapidity
The river's speed made a rescue difficult.
Speed
A transmission gear or set of gears in a motor vehicle
What speed is the car in now?.
Speed
A numerical expression of the sensitivity of a photographic film, plate, or paper to light.
Speed
The capacity of a lens to accumulate light at an appropriate aperture.
Speed
The length of time required or permitted for a camera shutter to open and admit light.
Speed
(Slang) A stimulant drug, especially amphetamine or methamphetamine.
Speed
(Slang) One that suits or appeals to a person's inclinations, skills, or character
Living in a large city is not my speed.
Speed
(Archaic) Prosperity; luck.
Speed
To go, move, or proceed quickly
Sped to the rescue.
Speed
To drive at a speed exceeding a legal limit
Was speeding on the freeway.
Speed
To pass quickly
The days sped by. The months have sped along.
Speed
To move, work, or happen at a faster rate; accelerate
His pulse speeded up.
Speed
(Slang) To be under the influence of a stimulant drug.
Speed
To prove successful; prosper.
Speed
To get along in a specified manner; fare.
Speed
To cause to move or proceed quickly; hasten
No wind to speed the boat.
Speed
To increase the speed or rate of; accelerate. Often used with up
Speed up a car.
Sped up production.
Speed
To further, promote, or expedite (a legal action, for example).
Speed
(Archaic) To help to succeed or prosper; aid.
Speed
The state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.
How does Usain Bolt run at that speed?
Speed
The rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.
Speed limits provide information to the drivers about the safe speed to travel in average conditions.
Speed
(photography) The sensitivity to light of film, plates or sensor.
Speed
(photography) The duration of exposure, the time during which a camera shutter is open (shutter speed).
Speed
(photography) The largest size of the lens opening at which a lens can be used.
Speed
(photography) The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a photographic objective.
Speed
Amphetamine or any amphetamine-based drug (especially methamphetamine) used as a stimulant, especially illegally.
Speed
(archaic) Luck, success, prosperity.
Speed
(slang) Personal preference.
We could go to the shore next week, or somewhere else if that's not your speed.
Speed
A third-order measure of derivative price sensitivity, expressed as the rate of change of gamma with respect to changes in the underlying asset price.
Speed
(film) Called by the soundman when the recording equipment has reached running speed and is ready to go.
Speed
To succeed; to prosper, be lucky.
Speed
To help someone, to give them fortune; to aid or favour.
God speed, until we meet again.
Speed
(intransitive) To go fast.
The Ferrari was speeding along the road.
Speed
(intransitive) To exceed the speed limit.
Why do you speed when the road is so icy?
Speed
(transitive) To increase the rate at which something occurs.
Speed
To be under the influence of stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.
Speed
(obsolete) To be expedient.
Speed
(archaic) To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin.
Speed
(archaic) To wish success or good fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.
Speed
To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.
Speed
To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.
Speed
Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success.
O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day.
Speed
The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel.
Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails.
Speed
One who, or that which, causes or promotes speed or success.
Speed
To go; to fare.
To warn him now he is too farre sped.
Speed
To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare.
Ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped; The mightiest still upon the smallest fed.
Speed
To fare well; to have success; to prosper.
Save London, and send true lawyers their meed!For whoso wants money with them shall not speed!
I told ye then he should prevail, and speedOn his bad errand.
Speed
To make haste; to move with celerity.
I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility.
Speed
To be expedient.
Speed
To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor.
With rising gales that speed their happy flight.
Speed
To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.
He sped him thence home to his habitation.
Speed
To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.
Judicial acts . . . are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties.
Speed
To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo.
A dire dilemma! either way I 'm sped.If foes, they write, if friends, they read, me dead.
Speed
To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.
Speed
Distance travelled per unit time
Speed
A rate (usually rapid) at which something happens;
The project advanced with gratifying speed
Speed
Changing location rapidly
Speed
The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a (camera) lens system
Speed
A central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
Speed
Step on it;
He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
Speed
Move faster;
The car accelerated
Speed
Travel at an excessive or illegal velocity;
I got a ticket for speeding
Speed
Move very fast;
The runner zipped past us at breakneck speed
Speed
Cause to move faster;
He accelerated the car
Common Curiosities
Can "speed" be used as a verb?
Yes, "speed" can also be used as a verb, meaning to move quickly or proceed rapidly.
What does "speed" indicate in a technical context?
In technical contexts, "speed" refers to the rate at which an object or data moves or processes.
Is "sped" only applicable to physical movement?
While commonly related to physical movement, "sped" can also describe any action completed quickly, such as finishing a task.
How does "sped" relate to storytelling?
"Sped" is often used to describe quick actions or sequences within narratives, emphasizing the pace of events.
Is there a physical measurement associated with "speed"?
Yes, "speed" is often measured in units such as miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
Can "sped" be used figuratively?
Yes, "sped" can be used figuratively, such as in "sped up the process," meaning to make something happen faster.
What is the primary use of "sped"?
"Sped" is primarily used as the past tense of "speed," indicating rapid motion completed in the past.
What is the difference in usage frequency between "sped" and "speed"?
"Speed" is more frequently used than "sped," which is mostly restricted to past tense narrative forms.
What are common synonyms for "speed"?
Common synonyms for "speed" include velocity, rapidity, and pace.
Can "speed" refer to a type of drug?
Yes, "speed" is slang for methamphetamine, a stimulant drug.
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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
Maham Liaqat