What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
speed
Example
The car was traveling at a high speed on the highway. [speed: noun]
Example
She quickly typed the report to finish it with speed. [speed: adverb]
swiftness
Example
The cheetah is known for its swiftness in running. [swiftness: noun]
Example
He moved with swiftness to catch the ball before it hit the ground. [swiftness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Speed is more common than swiftness in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between speed and swiftness?
Both speed and swiftness can be used in formal and informal contexts, but swiftness may be considered more formal due to its less frequent usage.