What does faster mean?
"Faster" is best known as the comparative form of "fast," used to indicate that something moves, happens, or operates at a greater speed than something else. It functions both adverbially, as in "run faster," and adjectivally, as in "a faster processor," making it one of the most frequently used comparatives in everyday English, especially in discussions of technology, transport, and athletic performance. Its connotations are overwhelmingly positive in modern culture, where speed is associated with efficiency, progress, and competitiveness. Less commonly, "faster" can also be a noun referring to a person who abstains from eating, whether for religious observance, protest, or health reasons — a meaning entirely separate from the speed sense. The word traces back through Old English "fæst," which originally signified firmness and security rather than velocity; the modern sense of rapid movement developed later. This dual heritage makes "faster" an interesting case of how a word's meaning can shift dramatically over centuries while retaining a common root.
At a greater speed than something else or than before; more quickly.
"News spreads faster on social media than through traditional channels."
Almost always used in comparison — with a previous state, a rival, or a benchmark such as "faster than light."
Describing something capable of or characterized by greater speed relative to another.
"They opted for a faster route to avoid the traffic."
A person who abstains from food, typically for religious, spiritual, or health reasons.
"As a devout faster, she observed a strict fast throughout Lent."
This sense is etymologically unrelated to the speed meaning and is considerably less common in general usage.
The same English root that gives you "faster" also gives you "steadfast" — because for most of its history, "fast" meant firmly fixed, not quick.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of faster
The comparative "faster" descends from Old English "fæst," which originally meant firm, fixed, or secure — the sense preserved today in words like "steadfast" and "fasten." The notion of speed attached itself to this root later in the word's history, likely influenced by the practice of running fast, so that by the medieval period "fast" had come primarily to mean quick. As a standard comparative, "faster" simply follows the ordinary Old English pattern of adding the suffix that produced forms like "harder" and "greater." The unrelated noun sense — one who fasts from food — derives instead from the verb "to fast" (Old English "fæstan"), meaning to abstain from eating, a practice with deep religious roots.
How faster is actually used
"Faster" is almost exclusively used as the comparative of the adjective/adverb "fast" and appears constantly in everyday speech about speed, technology, and performance. It does not usually take the suffix -er in writing beyond its standard form. The rarer noun sense — someone who fasts — belongs to a completely different word lineage (from Old English "fæstan," to abstain from food) and should not be confused with the speed-related use.
Easily confused with faster
"Faster" refers to greater speed, while "farther" refers to greater physical distance.