How do you use the word "speed" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "speed": More haste, less speed. We should observe the speed limit.

Speed Meaning

/spiːd/

Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounThe state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.

nounThe rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.

Sentence Examples

More haste, less speed.

We should observe the speed limit.

Watch out for sharp bends and adjust your speed accordingly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

hurry rush race

Antonyms:

linger

CEFR Practice Quiz

The runner's impressive ____ allowed him to easily break the world record.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The car achieved a very high ____ on the professional race track during its first test trial.

Word Origin & History

From Middle English sped (“prosperity, good luck, quickness, success”), from Old English spēd (“success”), from Proto-West Germanic *spōdi (“prosperity, success”), from Proto-West Germanic *spōan, from Proto-Germanic *spōaną (“to prosper, succeed, be happy”), from Proto-Indo-European *speh₁- (“to prosper, turn out well”). Cognate with Scots spede, speid (“success, quickness, speed”), Dutch spoed (“haste; speed”), German Low German Spood (“haste; speed; eagerness; success”), German Sput (“progress, acceleration, haste”). Related also to Old English spōwan (“to be successful, succeed”), Albanian shpejt (“to speed, to hurry”) and Russian спеши́ть (spešítʹ, “to hurry”), Latin spēs (“hope, expectation”), spērō (“hope”, verb), perhaps also to Ancient Greek σπεύδω (speúdō, “to urge on, hasten, press on”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Returne with ſpeed, time paſſeth ſwift away, Our life is fraile, and we may dye to day." — c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene i:

"Train positions and speeds were established by a track magnet at each milepost, which produced a suitable mark on the punched recording tape whenever a train passed." — 1960 December 26, “Talking of Trains: Recording Electric Operation”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 707:

"I don’t even like speed. It’s alright if ya wanna stay awake for three days an’ clean yer room, but I’m terrible on no sleep. It just makes me anxious." — 2021, Paris Lees, What it Feels Like for a Girl, Penguin (2022), page 115:

"St. Francis be my ſpeed, how oft to night / Haue my old feet ſtumbled at graues?" — c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], page 76:

"O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day." — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 24:12:

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