What does swift mean?
Swift describes movement, action, or response that happens quickly and with little delay. It is especially useful for describing rapid decisions, prompt replies, swift action, and other events in which speed is important. The adjective can also describe something capable of moving fast, as in “a swift bird” or “a swift runner.” In its less common verbal use, swift means to leave or disappear quickly, often abruptly, although modern speakers normally choose words such as leave, escape, or vanish. Swift also names a long-winged bird renowned for its agility and speed in flight. The common swift has dark plumage, a pale throat, long scythe-shaped wings, and a short forked tail. Across these uses, the word’s central idea is rapid movement or prompt action, though its strongest contemporary use is as a formal adjective.
Moving, acting, or completed quickly and with little delay.
"The emergency team arrived in swift response to the alarm."
The word is common in formal English and often emphasizes promptness as well as speed.
To leave, escape, or disappear quickly.
"He caught the train and swiftly away before the platform cleared."
This use is uncommon and chiefly literary or dated. Modern speakers generally prefer leave, depart, escape, or vanish.
A long-winged, fast-flying bird, especially the common swift, which has dark plumage and a short forked tail.
"A swift circled high above the rooftops before descending toward its nest."
When the bird is intended, the singular form is usually written without an article, as in “swifts are active at dusk.”
The regular plural refers to more than one birds of this kind.
"Several swifts raced across the evening sky."
A common swift may spend much of its life airborne, but its name perfectly captures the speed of its flight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does swift come from?
The adjective and the bird name descend from Old English swift, meaning “quick” and also serving as a name for the fast-flying bird. The word has cognates in several other Germanic languages, including Old Norse svimbr and modern Swedish svift. The now-uncommon verb meaning “go away quickly” developed in the early modern period from the word’s established associations with speed and rapid departure.
Related word forms
How swift is actually used
As an adjective, swift is especially common in formal writing and in fixed expressions such as “swift response” and “swift action.” The verb is now uncommon and mainly literary or dated; in ordinary contemporary usage, leave, depart, or flee is usually preferable.
Easily confused with swift
Swift means quick or fast, whereas swept is the past tense and past participle of sweep.