NYT Dictionary

RAPIDLY

/ˈɹæpɪdli/
AdverbRAP-id-lyrap-id-ly · 3 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2023, 2025

Meaning

With speed; in a rapid manner.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁p- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *h₁r̥h₁pyéti Proto-Italic *rapjō Latin rapiō Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-der. Proto-Italic *-iðos Latin -idus Latin rapidusder. Middle French rapidebor. ▲ Latin rapidusbor. English rapid Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English rapidly From rapid + -ly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

quicklyspeedilyapacealwaysconstantlycontinuallydailyeverexpeditiouslyfast

Antonyms

slowly

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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