fast
fast Lexical Profile
fast Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Moving or capable of moving at high speed.
"The cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world."
Happening, accomplished, or performed in a remarkably short time, or facilitating rapid movement.
"She made a fast recovery after the surgery and returned to work within a week."
Showing a time ahead of the actual or official time (of a clock or watch).
"My watch is five minutes fast so that I never miss the morning train."
Firmly fixed, attached, or loyal, and not easily moved, separated, or faded.
"They became fast friends during their first semester at university."
• adverb
At a high speed, or within a short period of time.
"Children grow up so fast that their clothes need replacing every season."
Firmly, tightly, or deeply so as not to be easily moved or awakened.
"The exhausted toddler was fast asleep before the car even left the driveway."
• noun
A period of abstaining from all or certain kinds of food or drink, often observed for religious, ethical, or medical reasons.
"The patient was instructed to complete a twelve-hour fast before the blood test."
• verb
To abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance or for medical purposes.
"Observant members of the community fast from dawn until sunset during the holy month."
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike most English adverbs, 'fast' is a flat adverb and does not take an '-ly' suffix; 'fastly' is obsolete and considered nonstandard in modern English.
• Rhymes for fast
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'fæst', meaning 'firmly fixed, steadfast, or secure', derived from Proto-Germanic '*fastuz'. The sense of 'rapid' developed in Middle English, likely influenced by Old Norse 'fast' (vigorously, closely), evolving from the idea of running 'hard' or 'vigorously'.