What does apace mean?
"Apace" is an adverb meaning swiftly or at a rapid rate, describing something that advances quickly and steadily. It entered English in the Middle Ages from the Old French phrase "à pas," literally "at (a good) pace," and has remained part of the language ever since. In modern usage it tends toward a formal or literary tone and pairs most naturally with verbs of development or change — plans proceed apace, cities grow apace, news spreads apace. It always follows the verb rather than preceding it, which gives sentences a slightly elevated rhythm compared with plainer alternatives like "quickly" or "fast." Writers often reach for it to convey momentum without urgency's connotations: things happening apace are moving briskly but usually under control. Because it is compact and unambiguous, it remains a useful word for concise, polished prose about progress, growth, or change.
adverbSwiftly; at a fast pace or rate of progress.
- (of movement, development, or activity) swiftly; at a rapid rate
"The construction work continued apace despite the winter weather."
"Urbanization proceeded apace throughout the nineteenth century."
"Rumors of the merger were spreading apace through the company."
"Apace" is really just Old French for "a good pace" (à pas) that slipped into English and never left — a tiny adverb carrying seven centuries of momentum.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of apace
"Apace" derives from the Middle English phrase "a pace," borrowed from Old French "à pas," meaning "at a pace." The Old French expression itself implied doing something at a good or brisk pace, so the sense of speed was present from the start. It has been used as a single fused adverb in English since at least the late medieval period. Its root connects it to the broader family of words descending from Latin "passus," meaning a step or stride, which also gave English "pace," "passage," and "compass."
How apace is actually used
"Apace" is somewhat formal or literary in register and is typically used with verbs of change or progression (grow, spread, proceed) rather than simple physical motion. It is never used attributively and always follows the verb it modifies.
Easily confused with apace
"A pace" is the noun phrase meaning a single step or a speed, while "apace" is one adverb meaning rapidly — they sound nearly identical in speech but differ entirely in grammar.