swift

Formsswifter, swiftest

Pluralswifts

1. 1
   without delayadjective

   Fast, or done in a short time.

   Thanks for your swift reply to my email.

   The team made a swift comeback in the second half.

   Similarquick, rapid, prompt, speedy

   Oppositeslow, sluggish

   Note
2. 2
   fast-movingadjective

   Able to move very fast.

   The rabbit is small but swift.

   The swiftest runner on our team is only twelve years old.

   Similarfast, quick, speedy

   Oppositeslow, sluggish

3. 3
   birdnouncountable

   A small, plain bird that looks like a swallow and flies very fast.

   A swift flew low over the roof, catching insects in the air.

   We watched the swifts dart over the town at sunset.

   Note
4. 4
   mothnouncountable

   A type of moth, also known as a swift moth or ghost moth.

   A pale swift fluttered against the porch light and then landed on the screen.

   My brother caught a swift in a jar, a soft brown moth with long thin wings.

   Note
5. 5
   lizardnouncountable

   One of a group of lizards that includes the fence lizard.

   The scaly little swift did push-ups on the warm rock.

   My brother keeps two swifts in a glass tank with sand and rocks.

6. 6
   skipper butterflynouncountable

   One of several kinds of butterfly that fly very fast.

   A swift zipped from flower to flower, too quick to photograph.

   On the butterfly walk, our guide pointed out a small brown swift resting on a leaf.

   Note
7. 7
   yarn holdernouncountable

   A light frame that folds up and holds yarn while you wind it into balls.

   She put the yarn on the swift and wound it into a ball.

   Grandma's wooden swift folds up small enough to fit in a drawer.

   Note
8. 8
   machine rollernouncountable

   The main turning roller inside a carding machine.

   The wool passed over the swift and came out soft and even.

   The mechanic stopped the carding machine to clean the swift.

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