rapid fire
1 Americannoun
adjective
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characterized by, delivered, or occurring in rapid succession.
rapid-fire questions; rapid-fire events.
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Military. discharging in rapid fire.
rapid-fire rifles.
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discharging, operating, etc., at a rate more rapid than normal.
a rapid-fire staple gun.
noun
adjective
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firing shots rapidly
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denoting medium-calibre mounted guns designed for rapid fire
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done, delivered, or occurring in rapid succession
Etymology
Origin of rapid-fire
First recorded in 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Internet Freedom Foundation said the compressed timeline would transform platforms into "rapid fire censors".
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
The format - as the name suggests - involved rapid fire sketches, some lasting just ten seconds and none lasting longer than three minutes.
From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026
“This would yield locally rapid fire growth with any new fires,” Schoenfeld said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2025
Wednesday, with the National Weather Service cautioning of powerful wind gusts, dry air and a higher risk of rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2025
I stare at the ceiling, my neurons on rapid fire.
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.