1
: moving or capable of moving with great speed
a swift runner
2
: occurring suddenly or within a very short time
a swift transition
3
: quick to respond : ready
1
: any of several lizards (especially of the genus Sceloporus) that run swiftly
2
: a reel for winding yarn or thread
3
: any of numerous small plainly colored birds (family Apodidae) that are related to the hummingbirds but superficially much resemble swallows
Synonyms
Examples of swift in a Sentence
Adjective
a swift and accurate response
the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta
Adverb
tried to cross the swift-flowing river
Recent Examples on the Web
Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Dec. 2024
Wider international condemnation of the government's response has been swift.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Jennifer Jacobs, Time, 17 Oct. 2019
As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris.
—Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019
Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Ignacio Calderon was in the San Luis Valley of Alamosa County with scientists looking for one of the most cryptic birds in the American continent: the black swift.
—William Ramsey, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for swift 
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Adjective
The public backlash and political fallout have been swift and catastrophic for Mr. Yoon.
—Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Dec. 2024
Wider international condemnation of the government's response has been swift.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adverb
That trip was referenced in the whistle-blower complaint that sparked the House’s swift-moving impeachment inquiry.
—Jennifer Jacobs, Time, 17 Oct. 2019
As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris.
—Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019
Noun
This sprawling resort offers the opportunity to spot colorful Caribbean birds ranging from the Hispaniolan emerald to the Antillean palm swift, while those willing to venture off-property can discover a wealth of animals at some of the Dominican Republic’s top tourist attractions.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Ignacio Calderon was in the San Luis Valley of Alamosa County with scientists looking for one of the most cryptic birds in the American continent: the black swift.
—William Ramsey, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for swift
Dictionary Entries Near swift
Cite this Entry
“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swift. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swift
1 of 3 adjective1
: moving or capable of moving with great speed
a swift runner
2
: occurring suddenly or within a very short time
a swift change in weather
swiftly
adverb
swiftness
noun
ˈswif(t)-nəs
swift
2 of 3 adverb
: in a swift manner
swift
3 of 3 noun
: any of numerous small mostly dark birds that are related to the hummingbirds but resemble swallows
Biographical Definition
Swift
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Jonathan 1667–1745 English (Irish-born) satirist
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