fast
fast
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fast" is /fæst/.
First Syllable: /fæst/
/f/: voiceless labiodental fricative
/æ/: near-open front unrounded vowel
/s/: voiceless alveolar fricative
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
The word form variations for "eagle" are:
Singular: eagle
Plural: eagles
There are also some less common forms:
Eagled: This is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "to eagle," which means to hunt or capture with an eagle.
Eagling: This refers to a young eagle.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Moving or capable of moving at high speed; swift.
Synonyms: quick, rapid, speedy, nimble
Antonyms: slow, leisurely, deliberate
Definition 2: Firmly fixed or attached; secure.
Synonyms: firm, secure, stable, tight, immovable
Antonyms: loose, insecure, unstable, wobbly
Definition 3: (Of a clock or watch) showing a time ahead of the correct time.
Synonyms: advanced, early
Antonyms: slow, late
Definition 4: (Of colors or dyes) not fading or running when washed or exposed to light.
Synonyms: permanent, durable, colorfast, indelible
Antonyms: fugitive, unstable, fading
Adverb
Definition 1: At high speed; quickly.
Synonyms: rapidly, swiftly, quickly, speedily, promptly
Antonyms: slowly, gradually, leisurely
Definition 2: Firmly or tightly.
Synonyms: securely, tightly, firmly, fixedly
Antonyms: loosely, insecurely, weakly
Definition 3: (Of sleep) deeply and soundly.
Synonyms: soundly, deeply
Antonyms: lightly, fitfully
Verb
Definition 1: Abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious or ethical discipline.
Synonyms: abstain, diet, go without, forgo
Antonyms: eat, gorge, feast
Noun
Definition 1: A period of abstaining from food or drink, especially for religious or health reasons.
Synonyms: abstinence, diet, period of abstinence
Antonyms: feast, banquet, meal
Examples of Use
Books:
"He drove his fast car down the winding mountain road, the engine roaring with power." (From a fictional novel, general usage)
"The old woman held fast to her beliefs, despite the changing times." (From a historical fiction novel, implying firm adherence)
"She learned to read so fast that her parents were astonished by her progress." (From a biographical account, indicating quickness of learning)
Newspapers:
"New High-Speed Rail Project Promises Fast Commutes Between Major Cities." (Headline in The Daily Chronicle, referring to speed)
"Local Bakery Closes Its Doors After Years of Fast Service and Quality Goods." (The Town Crier, implying quick and efficient service)
"The police moved fast to apprehend the suspects after the incident." (The Guardian, indicating rapid action)
Online Publications:
"5 Tips for a Fast and Effective Morning Workout Routine." (Article on Health & Fitness Today, referring to quickness and efficiency)
"Tech Review: This New Processor is Incredibly Fast, Setting a New Benchmark for Performance." (Product review on Gizmodo, indicating high processing speed)
"How to Break Your Fast Safely After a Period of Intermittent Fasting." (Article on WebMD, referring to the noun form of abstaining from food)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The Fast and the Furious" (Film title, clearly referring to speed and rapid action)
Song Lyrics: "We're living life too fast, can't slow down." (From a popular song, lamenting a hurried pace of life)
Video Games: "You need to be fast to dodge those incoming attacks!" (In-game tutorial message in an action game, emphasizing quick reflexes)
TV Show Dialogue: "Hold fast, everyone! We're not out of this yet." (Character in a survival drama, meaning to stay firm and not give up)
General Public Discourse:
"The internet connection here is incredibly fast; I can stream movies without any buffering." (Casual conversation among friends, describing internet speed)
"I prefer to get things done fast and efficiently." (Workplace discussion, expressing a preference for quick completion of tasks)
"Let's grab some fast food for dinner; I don't have much time to cook." (Everyday conversation, referring to quickly prepared food)
"After a long day, I usually fall asleep pretty fast." (Personal anecdote, describing the speed of falling asleep)
10 Famous Quotes Using Fast
"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." (Groucho Marx)
"The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club." (Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club) - While "fast" isn't in this direct quote, the spirit of the novel often implies a fast-paced, unpredictable descent.
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." (Michael Corleone, The Godfather Part II) - This quote, while not using "fast," often suggests the need for quick, strategic thinking, which is a form of mental "fastness."
"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." (Henry David Thoreau) - This implies a "fast" or busy pace of life leading to success.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." (John A. Shedd) - This quote metaphorically encourages movement and action, contrasting with being "fast" and stationary.
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." (African Proverb)
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." (Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light, with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws." (Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency)
"The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways." (Robert Greene, Mastery) - This implies a "fast" and continuous learning process.
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." (Steve Jobs) - This quote, particularly "Don't settle," suggests a "fast" pursuit of one's passion rather than remaining static.
Etymology
The word "fast" has a fascinating history because it has seemingly opposite meanings today, but they actually come from the same ancient root!
The origin of "fast" can be traced back to a very old Proto-Germanic word, *fastuz, which meant "firm" or "solid."
From this original meaning, "fast" in Old English (before 1150 AD) had a primary sense of "firmly fixed, secure, steadfast, or strong." Think of phrases like "hold fast" or being "fast asleep," where "fast" means firmly held or deeply settled. This is also where the word "fasten" comes from – to make something firm or secure.
So, how did we get from "firm" to "speedy"? This is where it gets interesting! The shift in meaning, particularly for the adverb, seems to have happened in Old Norse (the language of the Vikings). In Old Norse, a similar word, fast, was used to mean "firmly, strongly, or vigorously." When you run hard or vigorously, you are also running fast. This idea of doing something with great effort or intensity then became associated with speed. So, to "run fast" meant to run with great effort, hence quickly. This sense of "rapid" or "quick" began to appear in English around the 13th century, and certainly by the 1550s.
As for the "fast" meaning "to abstain from food," this also comes from the original sense of "firm" or "holding firm." The verb "to fast" in Old English, fæstan, meant "to hold, guard," and was extended to the religious act of "observing abstinence." The idea was that you "held firm" to a commitment, like abstaining from food for religious reasons. This meaning also goes back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD).
So, the next time you hear "fast," remember its roots in being "firm" – whether it's a firm grip, a firm commitment to a diet, or a vigorous, firm stride that makes you quick!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fast
Fast asleep: Deeply asleep.
Fast lane: A position, situation, or way of life that is exciting, highly competitive, or involves rapid progress.
Fast food: Readily cooked food served quickly in a restaurant or other outlet.
Fast track: To accelerate or expedite a process or career.
Play fast and loose: To behave irresponsibly or unscrupulously.
Hold fast: To maintain a firm grip or to remain steadfast in a belief or position.
Make fast: To secure or tie something firmly. (e.g., "Make fast the ropes.")
Fast talker: Someone who speaks quickly and persuasively, often deceptively.
A fast buck: Money earned quickly and often easily, sometimes dishonestly.
As fast as lightning: Extremely quickly.
Hard and fast rules: Strict and unchangeable rules.
Run fast: To move at a high speed. (Literal usage, but often used idiomatically to describe rapid progress or escape.)
Fast company: People who are wild, irresponsible, or involved in morally dubious activities.
Break one's fast: To eat the first meal of the day after a period of not eating (origin of "breakfast").
Live life in the fast lane: To live a busy, exciting, and often high-pressure life.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fast from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
