swift

ENEnglish
//swɪft//

Direct German Translations & Equivalents:

Click any term below to jump straight to its full vocabulary entry in German:

Definitions & Usage

adjective
#1

Fast; quick; rapid.

Example: swift action
Example: swift response
Translations:[DE]flink[DE]rasch
adjective
#2

Capable of moving at high speeds.

adjective
#3

(informal) Quick-thinking; bright.

Example: That's what limos do — advertise, and he should have known that. But, as I told you before, officer, he's not too swift.
adverb
#4

(obsolete or poetic) Swiftly.

Synonyms:
noun
#5

A small plain-colored bird of the family Apodidae that resembles a swallow and is noted for its rapid flight.

Translations:[DE]Segler
noun
#6

Any of certain lizards of the genus Sceloporus.

Translations:
noun
#7

(entomology) A moth of the family Hepialidae, swift moth, ghost moth.

noun
#8

(entomology) Any of various fast-flying hesperiid butterflies.

noun
#9

(textiles) A light, collapsible reel used to hold a hank of yarn in order to wind off skeins or balls.

Translations:[DE]Garnwinde
noun
#10

The main cylinder of a carding-machine.

noun
#11

(obsolete) The current of a stream.

Notable Literary & Historical Quotes

Spain were provoked into a response and Villa almost provided a swift equaliser when he rounded Hart but found the angle too acute and could only hit the side-netting.

2011 November 12, Phil McNulty, “International friendly: England 1-0 Spain”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 25 Jun 2021:

The call, which is the first known conversation between the presidents since Trump assumed office last month, came as as^([sic]) Trump makes clear to his advisers he wants to bring the Ukraine conflict to a swift end.

2025 February 12, Kaitlan Collins, Kevin Liptak, “After Putin call, Trump says negotiations to end Ukraine war will start ‘immediately’”, in CNN, archived from the original on 15 Apr 2025:

Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep.

c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:

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