rap ‧ id W3 /ˈræpəd, ˈræpɪd/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: rapidus 'seizing, sweeping away' , from rapere ; ⇨ ↑ rape 1 ]
happening or done very quickly and in a very short time ⇨ fast , quick :
The patient made a rapid recovery.
rapid growth/expansion/development/increase
rapid population growth
a period of rapid decline
He fired three times in rapid succession (=one after another) .
—rapidity /rəˈpɪdəti, rəˈpɪdɪti/ noun [uncountable] :
Their debts mounted with alarming rapidity.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ rapid growth/expansion/development
The industry is experiencing rapid growth.
▪ a rapid increase/rise
The country cannot cope with a rapid increase in population.
▪ rapid change
The labour market has undergone a period of rapid change over the last few years.
▪ the rapid spread of something
Close contact between people resulted in the rapid spread of the disease.
▪ a rapid decline/deterioration
These parasites cause a rapid decline in the health of the fish.
▪ rapid progress
Both Tom and Victoria had made rapid progress under his guidance.
▪ a rapid response
He praised state health authorities for their rapid response to the crisis.
■ phrases
▪ at a rapid rate/pace
Deforestation is occurring at a rapid rate as a result of agricultural development.
▪ in rapid succession (=quickly, one after the other)
Pictures of a man were flashed upon the screen in rapid succession.