quicken
B2 (Upper-Intermediate)Mostly formal or literary in its primary sense; slightly archaic in some uses (e.g., 'quickening' for fetal movement).
Definition
Meaning
to become or make something faster, livelier, or more active.
To stimulate, animate, or revive; also, in biology, to reach the stage of pregnancy when fetal movement is felt.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core idea is a transition from inert/slow to active/fast. It often implies a sudden or noticeable increase in pace or vitality. The biological sense ('quickening') is a specialized medical/literary term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The biological term 'quickening' is equally understood but rarely used in everyday conversation in both varieties.
Connotations
Formal, slightly elevated tone. Can have poetic connotations (e.g., 'quicken the imagination').
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in both varieties, more common in written than spoken English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] (transitive): The news quickened his pulse.[V] (intransitive): Her pace quickened as she saw the bus approach.[VN to inf] (less common): Fear quickened them to act.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(old) quicken someone's blood: to excite someone.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The new investment will quicken the company's expansion into Asian markets.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis or history: 'The narrative quickens in the final chapter.' In biology/medicine: 'The study focused on the moment of quickening.'
Everyday
Mostly literal: 'He quickened his step to catch up with her.'
Technical
Rare. Could be used in engineering/physics as a synonym for 'accelerate', but 'accelerate' is standard.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The horse quickened to a gallop.
- A good debate can quicken the mind.
- Her interest quickened when archaeology was mentioned.
American English
- He quickened his pace on the hiking trail.
- The movie's plot quickens after the first act.
- Fertilizer will quicken the plant's growth.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The adverb is 'quickly', not derived from 'quicken').
American English
- N/A (The adverb is 'quickly', not derived from 'quicken').
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective is 'quick', not 'quicken').
American English
- N/A (The adjective is 'quick', not 'quicken').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I quickened my walk because it was getting dark.
- The music is quickening.
- She felt her heartbeat quicken with excitement.
- We need to quicken the delivery process.
- The prospect of a challenge quickened his spirits.
- Economic reforms are intended to quicken the pace of development.
- The director quickened the film's editing rhythm to build tension.
- Her narrative quickens as the protagonist approaches the climax of their journey.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'quick' rabbit. The verb 'quicken' is what the rabbit does: it makes itself quick.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/ACTIVITY IS SPEED. To become more alive/active is to become faster.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'оживить' (to revive) in all contexts. 'Quicken' primarily links to speed. 'Quicken one's step' = ускорить шаг, not оживить шаг.
- The biological term 'quickening' ('оживление' or 'первое шевеление плода') is a very specific, false friend.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'quicken' as a direct synonym for 'create' or 'make' (e.g., 'The policy quickened new jobs' is wrong).
- Overusing it in informal speech where 'speed up' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'quicken' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is more formal than 'speed up'. It's common in writing and formal speech.
Historically and poetically, yes (e.g., 'quickening spirit'), but in modern English, the 'life' sense is largely confined to the archaic or specialized biological term 'quickening' (the first felt movement of a fetus).
They are often synonyms. 'Accelerate' is more technical and neutral. 'Quicken' often implies a more organic or sudden increase in pace or vitality and is more literary.
Yes, 'quickening' (e.g., 'a quickening of interest', or the biological sense).
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