quicken

American

[kwik-uhn] / ˈkwɪk ən /

verb (used with object)

to make more rapid; accelerate; hasten.

She quickened her pace.
to give or restore vigor or activity to; stir up, rouse, or stimulate.

to quicken the imagination.

Synonyms:

enliven, vitalize, animate
to revive; restore life to.

The spring rains quickened the earth.

Synonyms:

vivify

verb (used without object)

to become more active, sensitive, etc..

This drug causes the pulse to quicken.
to become alive; receive life.
(of the mother) to enter that stage of pregnancy in which the fetus gives indications of life.
(of a fetus in the womb) to begin to manifest signs of life.

quicken British

/ ˈkwɪkən /

verb

to make or become faster; accelerate

he quickened his walk
her heartbeat quickened with excitement
to impart to or receive vigour, enthusiasm, etc; stimulate or be stimulated

science quickens man's imagination
to make or become alive; revive
1. (of an unborn fetus) to begin to show signs of life
2. (of a pregnant woman) to reach the stage of pregnancy at which movements of the fetus can be felt

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

quickener noun
requicken verb
unquickened adjective

Etymology

Origin of quicken

First recorded in 1250–1300, quicken is from the Middle English word quikenen. See quick, -en ¹

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.

Inflation data are already showing elevated price pressures in the world’s biggest economy, and surging oil prices will only quicken the pace over the coming months.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

On the contrary, he thought it was England’s duty to quicken Indian progress.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

The reopening has begun, and this should quicken the pace for a potential December rate cut, which is now seen as essentially a 50-50 tossup according to the FedWatch tool provided by CME.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 14, 2025

EVANSTON, Ill. — You can change the coach and quicken the pace of practice, but one thing can’t be transformed.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2025

Once I'm a fair distance from the alley, I take a deep breath and quicken my pace.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023