fast - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
fast Word Meanings
- moving at high speed
- quick in action
- to abstain from eating
fast Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
fast Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/fɑːst/
US
/fæst/
fast Word Etymology
fast = firmly + st (suffix indicating manner). Originated from Old English 'fæst', meaning 'firm, solid', from Proto-Germanic roots. Picture a cheetah, known for its speed, holding on tightly to the ground while sprinting.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
Start by pushing off the ground, letting your legs move fast as you sprint around the block. Shift your weight, set your shoulders, and adjust your breath to keep the pace smooth. When a snack crosses your mind, you pause, hold back a bite, and keep going, choosing hunger over a bite. The speed feels like a taste of control, a movement your body learns to trust.
Real Context
Fast means moving at high speed or doing something quickly. As an adjective it describes objects or people with speed, as in a fast car or a fast runner. As an adverb it describes how an action is performed, for example, she speaks fast or they work fast. It can also mean to abstain from eating when used as a verb, 'to fast' for a day. In everyday English, fast often collocates with 'food' in phrases like 'fast food' (not prepared at home) or 'fast-paced' to describe a busy environment. Learners confuse fast with quick and with the related noun 'fasting' or the verb 'fasten' which have different meanings.
Usage Reminders
- Remember fast with speed; use fast for a quick, ongoing or habitual sense. Use quickly for a momentary speed. Don’t mix up with fasten (to attach). Note the fasting sense as a separate verb. Use fast in compound forms like fast-paced. Be aware of false friends with languages that distinguish fast as only speed.
Common Misconceptions
- Fast always means quick in all contexts.
- Fast is only about speed, not about eating.
- Hold fast means moving quickly.
- Fast and fasten are the same verb.
- Fast food is always homemade.
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker: English uses fast for speed, quickness, or abstaining from eating, with nuanced collocations. Learners often mix up quick and fast and may overlook the religious fasting sense.
Learning Tips
- memorize common collocations like fast-paced, fast-forward, hold fast
- contrast fast vs quick with examples
- practice both adjective and adverb uses
- note the verb 'to fast' vs fasting as noun
- watch for false friends in other languages
- use examples from sports and meal contexts
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
Which option gives the best definition of the word 'fast'?
A.Completely still and unable to move
B.Moving or capable of moving at high speed
C.To observe silence as a rule
D.A small market or stall
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'fast' correctly?
A.He ran so fast that he won the race.
B.Please fast the door so the cat cannot escape.
C.The teacher told the students to fast their homework by tomorrow.
D.Our old car can fast down the highway without trouble.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to 'fast'?
A.hungry
B.firm
C.quick
D.silent
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'fast'?
A.rapid
B.slow
C.firm
D.empty
Step 5: Mastery
Which prompt describes a real-life context where using the word 'fast' would be appropriate?
A.Can you think of a time you stayed completely silent during a ceremony?
B.Can you give an example of a time you had to hurry to catch a train?
C.Can you describe an occasion when you spent an entire day gardening?
D.Can you recall a moment when you took a long nap to recover energy?
Related Listening
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