speed

How fast someone or something moves.

• The car increased its speed.
• What is the speed limit here?
• We measured the wind speed every hour.

How to use it: at a speed of + amount (The train runs at a speed of ninety kilometres per hour.)

Similar words: velocity, pace

Common phrases: speed limit, average speed, at full speed

The ability to move fast, or the state of doing so.

• Her speed surprised everyone.
• The team needs players with speed and skill.
• He relied on his speed to win the race.

Similar words: quickness, swiftness

Opposites: slowness

Common phrases: great speed, speed and strength, speed of movement

The kind of thing someone likes or feels comfortable with.

• Quiet evenings are more my speed.
• That busy restaurant is not really her speed.
• Would a smaller party be more your speed?

Similar words: taste, style

Common phrases: more my speed, not your speed, just my speed

To drive faster than the law allows.

• Do not speed on this road.
• Police caught him speeding near the school.
• She was fined because she had been speeding.

Common phrases: caught speeding, speed on roads, speed through town

To move or do something very fast.

• A train sped past.
• She sped through her work before lunch.
• The boat was speeding towards the shore.

How to use it: speed through something (He sped through his homework.); speed past someone/something (A motorbike sped past us.)

Similar words: race, rush, hurry

Common phrases: speed past something, speed through something, speed along something