type-word
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Moving or capable of moving at high speed; quick.
Firmly fixed or attached; secure; resistant to change or fading (colours). Also refers to abstaining from all or some kinds of food, or being ahead of the correct time (a clock).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word exhibits significant polysemy, with its core sense of 'rapid motion' being unrelated to its other major sense of 'fixed/secure'. This is a result of convergent etymology from different Old English words.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In the context of colours, 'fast' meaning 'colourfast' is slightly more common in BrE technical contexts. The idiom 'fast asleep' is equally common.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + be/look/seem + fastSubject + verb + fast (as an adverb)Subject + hold/fasten + object + fastVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Play fast and loose”
- “Fast asleep”
- “Pull a fast one”
- “Thick and fast”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in 'fast track' (accelerated process) and 'fast growth' markets.
Academic
Used in physics (fast-moving particles), biology (fast-twitch muscles), and computing.
Everyday
Most common for describing speed of movement, vehicles, or people.
Technical
In textiles: 'colourfast' (resistant to fading). In computing: 'fast algorithm'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Many people fast during Ramadan.
- She decided to fast for health reasons.
American English
- He is fasting for a medical test.
- They fasted for 24 hours.
adverb
British English
- Don't drive so fast!
- The news spread fast.
American English
- You're learning really fast.
- Time goes by fast.
adjective
British English
- He's a fast runner.
- The colours are fast and won't fade.
American English
- She drives a fast car.
- Make sure the knot is fast.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The rabbit is very fast.
- I like fast cars.
- He can run fast.
- Internet connection here is remarkably fast.
- She is on a fast track to promotion.
- The dye is fast, so you can wash it.
- Economic growth was fast but unsustainable.
- He held fast to his principles despite the pressure.
- The clock is five minutes fast.
- The company fast-tracked the application due to exceptional circumstances.
- Adopting agile methodologies allowed for faster iteration.
- His fast living eventually caught up with him.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FAST car on the motorway. To remember the 'fixed' meaning, think of a rope tied FAST to a post – it's not going anywhere quickly.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS MOTION / VIRTUE IS UP, VICE IS DOWN (as in 'fast living').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'fast' meaning 'quick' and the Russian 'быстрый'. The other meaning, 'fixed/secure', can be translated as 'крепкий', 'прочный', which are unrelated in English.
- Avoid directly translating 'fast food' as 'быстрая еда'; the established term is 'фастфуд'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'fastly' (incorrect; 'fast' is both adjective and adverb).
- Confusing 'fast' (speed) with 'fast' (abstain from food) in context.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'fast' mean 'firmly fixed or secured'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Fast' serves as both an adjective ('a fast car') and an adverb ('he runs fast'). The form 'fastly' is archaic and not used in modern English.
'Fast' often describes sustained speed over distance ('a fast train'). 'Quick' suggests promptness or short duration ('a quick reply'). 'Rapid' implies a high rate of activity or change ('rapid growth'). There is significant overlap.
This is a historical coincidence. 'Fast' meaning 'quick' comes from Old English 'fæst' meaning 'firm, fixed', evolving through the idea of 'firmly, vigorously' to 'quickly'. The other 'fast' meaning 'abstain from food' comes from a different Old English word, 'fæstan'.
No. In this idiom, 'fast' comes from the older meaning of 'firm, secure, tight'. 'Fast asleep' means securely or soundly asleep.