speed
C1 (Very High Frequency)Neutral; formal and informal in technical contexts (physics, computing). Slang for 'amphetamine' is very informal.
Definition
Meaning
The rate at which someone or something moves or operates.
A) The fast rate at which something happens; swiftness. B) A measure of sensitivity to light in photography. C) (Slang) An amphetamine drug. D) The rate at which a device operates (e.g., internet speed).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a count noun for measurable rates ('different speeds'), but also a non-count noun for the general concept ('with great speed'). Can imply positive efficiency or dangerous recklessness depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In motoring, the colloquial verb 'speed' meaning to drive fast is common in both. 'Speed camera' is more common in UK; 'speed trap' is used in both but slightly more US.
Connotations
Largely identical. 'Up to speed' (informed) is equally common.
Frequency
Equal core frequency. The drug slang might be slightly more prevalent in US media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
at a/the speed of [number] [unit]with speedspeed of [noun]increase/reduce speedgain/gather/pick up speedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “full speed ahead”
- “up to speed”
- “more haste less speed”
- “pick up speed”
- “at breakneck speed”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'We need to improve the speed of delivery to stay competitive.'
Academic
The experiment measured the speed of sound in different mediums.
Everyday
What's the speed limit on this road?
Technical
The processor's clock speed is 3.5 GHz.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lorry sped down the motorway.
- New regulations will speed up the planning process.
- He was caught speeding through the village.
American English
- The truck sped down the highway.
- The new software speeds up data analysis.
- She got a ticket for speeding on the interstate.
adjective
British English
- They installed new speed cameras.
- He's a speed reader.
- The broadband speed test was disappointing.
American English
- They installed new speed traps.
- She's a speed typist.
- My internet speed is terrible.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The car is going at a high speed.
- Please read at a normal speed.
- He runs with great speed.
- What is the average speed of a cyclist?
- We need to work with more speed.
- The train began to pick up speed.
- The new legislation is designed to speed up the adoption process.
- Data transfer speeds have increased exponentially.
- He was fined for exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph.
- The rapid speed of technological change is challenging for regulators.
- The prosecutor argued the defendant acted with premeditation and speed.
- They are testing a high-speed rail link between the two cities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a speeding ticket: 'SPEED' = Swiftly Proceeding, Exceeding Every Driver's limit.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS MOTION / PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION. (E.g., 'speed up a process', 'projects gaining speed').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'скорость' (velocity/speed) vs. 'быстрота' (quickness). 'Speed' is the neutral term for rate of motion. The Russian 'спид' is a direct loanword for the drug.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'speed' uncountably for a specific instance: 'He drove with an incredible speed' (awkward, better: 'at incredible speed' or 'with incredible speed'). Confusing 'speed' (scalar) with 'velocity' (vector, technical).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'speed' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. Uncountable: 'with great speed'. Countable: 'The vehicle can reach incredible speeds.'
In everyday language, they are synonyms. In physics, 'speed' is scalar (how fast), while 'velocity' is vector (speed + direction).
It's an idiom meaning 'fully informed or functioning at the required rate or level.' E.g., 'I'll bring you up to speed on the project.'
Yes. It means to move quickly or to cause something to happen faster (e.g., 'speed up'). The past tense is 'sped' or sometimes 'speeded' (e.g., 'He speeded up the process').
Collections
Part of a collection
Transport
A2 · 48 words · Ways of getting from place to place.