Some things in life move really fast. Think about a race car zooming on a track or a cheetah chasing after its prey. But instead of always saying “very fast,” we can use similes to describe speed in a fun way. A simile is a phrase that compares one thing to another using words like “as” or “like.” These phrases help us picture speed better and make writing more exciting.
Writers use similes to help readers understand how quick something is. For example, they might say “as fast as lightning” or “like a rocket.” In this article, we’ll learn many similes that describe things that move quickly. You can use these similes in your own writing to sound creative and clear. Let’s find out how we can talk about speed in fun and easy ways.
Similes for Speed
1. As fast as lightning
Meaning: Very quick
Within a Sentence: The cat dashed as fast as lightning. / He ran as fast as lightning to catch the bus.
In Other Words: He moved super fast. / She was very quick.
2. Like a rocket
Meaning: Extremely fast
Within a Sentence: The car took off like a rocket. / She zipped down the hill like a rocket.
In Other Words: Very speedy. / Zoomed quickly.
3. As quick as a flash
Meaning: Happens very fast
Within a Sentence: He finished his snack as quick as a flash. / She answered the question as quick as a flash.
In Other Words: Right away. / Very speedy.
4. Like the wind
Meaning: Very fast movement
Within a Sentence: The dog ran like the wind. / The leaves flew like the wind.
In Other Words: Moving super fast. / Quick and smooth.
5. As speedy as a race car
Meaning: Fast like a race car
Within a Sentence: He rode his bike as speedy as a race car. / She cleaned her room as speedy as a race car.
In Other Words: Super fast. / Quick like zoom!
6. Like a speeding bullet
Meaning: Extremely fast
Within a Sentence: The baseball flew like a speeding bullet. / She moved through the crowd like a speeding bullet.
In Other Words: Really fast. / Shot forward quickly.
7. As fast as a jet
Meaning: Very fast, like an airplane
Within a Sentence: His answer came as fast as a jet. / The squirrel dashed as fast as a jet.
In Other Words: Zoomed. / Very quick.
8. Like a cheetah
Meaning: As quick as the fastest land animal
Within a Sentence: She ran like a cheetah in gym class. / The boy chased the ball like a cheetah.
In Other Words: Very fast. / Super speedy.
9. As swift as an arrow
Meaning: Straight and fast
Within a Sentence: The paper airplane flew as swift as an arrow. / He sprinted as swift as an arrow.
In Other Words: Fast and straight. / Quick movement.
10. Like a blink of an eye
Meaning: Happens really fast
Within a Sentence: The rabbit disappeared like a blink of an eye. / He was done like a blink of an eye.
In Other Words: In a second. / So fast.
11. As fast as a hiccup
Meaning: Very quick and sudden
Within a Sentence: She made up her mind as fast as a hiccup. / The dog jumped as fast as a hiccup.
In Other Words: Right away. / Super fast and sudden.
12. Like a tornado
Meaning: Spinning quickly
Within a Sentence: He cleaned his room like a tornado. / She rushed through homework like a tornado.
In Other Words: Fast and wild. / Full of speed.
13. As speedy as a squirrel
Meaning: Quick like a squirrel
Within a Sentence: The girl moved through the crowd as speedy as a squirrel. / The squirrel ran across the yard fast.
In Other Words: Fast and twitchy. / Quick and small.
14. Like a snap
Meaning: As fast as snapping fingers
Within a Sentence: He finished his lunch like a snap. / The light turned on like a snap.
In Other Words: Super quick. / In a second.
15. As fast as a video game load
Meaning: Really fast
Within a Sentence: The laptop turned on as fast as a video game load. / He clicked through the pages as fast as a game load.
In Other Words: Very quick. / Like fast tech.
16. Like a skateboard on a hill
Meaning: Speeding quickly downward
Within a Sentence: The scooter rolled like a skateboard on a hill. / The ball sped like a skateboard on a hill.
In Other Words: Downward fast. / Quick and smooth.
17. As quick as a blink
Meaning: Just like a very fast blink
Within a Sentence: She grabbed the toy as quick as a blink. / He turned around as quick as a blink.
In Other Words: In a flash. / Super fast.
18. Like a zooming drone
Meaning: Fast and flying
Within a Sentence: The bird moved like a zooming drone. / The toy plane flew like a drone.
In Other Words: Fast in the air. / Quick flying.
19. As quick as a hiccup
Meaning: Fast and surprising
Within a Sentence: The cat leapt as quick as a hiccup. / She smiled as quick as a hiccup.
In Other Words: Fast and sudden. / Super quick.
20. Like a delivery truck on turbo
Meaning: Moving fast and strong
Within a Sentence: He raced like a delivery truck on turbo. / She sped through her chores like turbo mail.
In Other Words: Fast and tough. / Quick and strong.
21. As fast as a firetruck
Meaning: Very quick in an emergency
Within a Sentence: He got ready as fast as a firetruck. / She left the house as fast as a firetruck.
In Other Words: Super quick. / No waiting.
22. Like a frisbee flying
Meaning: Quick and smooth through the air
Within a Sentence: The paper flew like a frisbee. / She ran like a flying frisbee.
In Other Words: Fast and smooth. / Glided quickly.
23. As fast as a zipline
Meaning: Very fast down a line
Within a Sentence: He slid down the hill as fast as a zipline. / She finished as fast as a zipline ride.
In Other Words: Fast glide. / Zoomed.
24. Like a rollercoaster drop
Meaning: Quick and thrilling
Within a Sentence: His heart raced like a rollercoaster drop. / She ran like a rollercoaster falling.
In Other Words: Quick and sudden. / Exciting speed.
25. As fast as the school bell
Meaning: Over very fast
Within a Sentence: The class ended as fast as the school bell rings. / He ran home as fast as a bell.
In Other Words: Quickly done. / Really fast.
26. Like skates on ice
Meaning: Sliding fast
Within a Sentence: She moved like skates on ice. / He cleaned the floor like skates on ice.
In Other Words: Quick and smooth. / Slippery fast.
27. As quick as a snap
Meaning: Very sudden
Within a Sentence: The ball flew as quick as a snap. / She ran out as quick as a snap.
In Other Words: Really fast. / Right away.
28. Like a flash of light
Meaning: Very fast and bright
Within a Sentence: He vanished like a flash of light. / She appeared like a flash of light.
In Other Words: Quick as lightning. / Fast to see.
29. As fast as a baseball pitch
Meaning: Like a thrown baseball
Within a Sentence: The news spread as fast as a pitch. / The cat jumped as fast as a pitch.
In Other Words: Fast-moving. / Quick shot.
30. Like a speedy boat
Meaning: Fast and smooth
Within a Sentence: He rushed like a speedy boat. / The scooter moved like a boat on a river.
In Other Words: Fast and flowing. / Smooth speed.
31. As quick as a mouse
Meaning: Small and fast
Within a Sentence: She darted through the crowd as quick as a mouse. / The kid moved as quick as a mouse.
In Other Words: Tiny but speedy. / Quick like a flash.
32. Like a snowball down a hill
Meaning: Starts slow, gets faster
Within a Sentence: The idea grew like a snowball down a hill. / He rolled through the game like a snowball.
In Other Words: Gained speed fast. / Got quicker and quicker.
33. As fast as a hiccup
Meaning: Really sudden
Within a Sentence: He turned around as fast as a hiccup. / She blinked and it was done.
In Other Words: So quick it’s almost missed. / Super fast.
34. Like sneakers on a track
Meaning: Ready and fast
Within a Sentence: He took off like sneakers on a track. / She finished like a track star.
In Other Words: Very speedy. / Fast and focused.
35. As quick as a jump
Meaning: A sudden move
Within a Sentence: The frog leapt as quick as a jump. / The kid got up as quick as a jump.
In Other Words: In a moment. / Instantly.
36. Like a jet stream
Meaning: Fast and smooth
Within a Sentence: The plane moved like a jet stream. / She wrote like a jet stream.
In Other Words: Flying fast. / Quick and steady.
37. As fast as a blink
Meaning: Gone quickly
Within a Sentence: He was done as fast as a blink. / She left as fast as a blink.
In Other Words: Super quick. / No delay.
38. Like a siren in traffic
Meaning: Cutting through fast
Within a Sentence: She moved like a siren through the crowd. / He raced like a siren past the hallway.
In Other Words: Fast and direct. / Speedy and clear.
39. As fast as kids at recess
Meaning: Really quick to move
Within a Sentence: They ran as fast as kids at recess. / The room emptied as fast as kids at recess.
In Other Words: Zooming out. / Fast and excited.
40. Like a flashcard flipper
Meaning: Quick turning
Within a Sentence: He flipped pages like a flashcard flipper. / She zipped through math like a flipper.
In Other Words: Rapid. / Quick fingers.
41. As fast as a finger snap
Meaning: Really quick
Within a Sentence: The bird flew away as fast as a finger snap. / He replied as fast as a snap.
In Other Words: Instant. / Very fast.
42. Like a scooter on a sidewalk
Meaning: Quick and smooth
Within a Sentence: She zoomed like a scooter on a sidewalk. / He passed me like a fast scooter.
In Other Words: Glided fast. / Speedy ride.
43. As quick as a pop
Meaning: Sudden and fast
Within a Sentence: The balloon popped as quick as a pop. / He jumped as quick as a pop.
In Other Words: Happened fast. / No delay.
44. Like a kid on summer break
Meaning: Moving fast with excitement
Within a Sentence: She ran like a kid on summer break. / He hurried like it was summer.
In Other Words: Full of energy. / Very fast.
45. As fast as a chase scene
Meaning: Fast and thrilling
Within a Sentence: The game moved as fast as a chase scene. / The ball flew like a chase.
In Other Words: Fast action. / Full speed.
46. Like shoes on a gym floor
Meaning: Slippery and quick
Within a Sentence: He dashed like shoes on a gym floor. / She ran like a flash across the gym.
In Other Words: Fast steps. / Slid quickly.
47. As speedy as a pizza delivery
Meaning: Very fast arrival
Within a Sentence: She came back as speedy as a pizza delivery. / He answered as fast as pizza arrives.
In Other Words: Quick return. / Very speedy.
48. Like a water slide
Meaning: Fast and smooth
Within a Sentence: She slipped by like a water slide. / The answer flowed like a slide.
In Other Words: Swift and fun. / Quick trip.
49. As quick as a comic flip
Meaning: Fast page turning
Within a Sentence: He read the comic as quick as a flip. / She flipped pages fast.
In Other Words: Zoomed through. / Fast reading.
50. Like a dog chasing a squirrel
Meaning: Full speed
Within a Sentence: The boy ran like a dog chasing a squirrel. / She chased her brother like a squirrel hunt.
In Other Words: Ran fast. / Quick chase.
51. As fast as a school hallway bell
Meaning: Quick like school ending
Within a Sentence: They ran out as fast as the school bell. / The game ended like a bell.
In Other Words: Super fast. / Quick move.
52. Like an online game load
Meaning: Fast and digital
Within a Sentence: The app opened like an online game. / It started like fast tech.
In Other Words: Instant. / No wait.
53. As quick as dodgeball
Meaning: Fast and alert
Within a Sentence: He moved as quick as dodgeball. / She ducked like dodgeball.
In Other Words: Alert and fast. / Quick moves.
54. Like a clap
Meaning: Very sudden
Within a Sentence: The flash came like a clap. / He reacted like a clap.
In Other Words: Really fast. / Super quick.
55. As fast as a blink of a cat
Meaning: Quick but quiet
Within a Sentence: She moved like a cat blink. / He disappeared like cat speed.
In Other Words: Sneaky fast. / Quick and smooth.
56. Like a racing heart
Meaning: Very quick and pulsing
Within a Sentence: His feet moved like a racing heart. / She ran like her heart raced.
In Other Words: Very fast. / Strong speed.
57. As fast as jumping rope
Meaning: Fast rhythm
Within a Sentence: She moved her arms as fast as jumping rope. / He jumped like rope skipping.
In Other Words: Steady fast. / Fast and fun.
58. Like a frisbee throw
Meaning: Fast and sailing
Within a Sentence: The paper flew like a frisbee throw. / Her hat flew off like a frisbee.
In Other Words: Glided fast. / Flew quickly.
59. As quick as popcorn popping
Meaning: Fast and repeated
Within a Sentence: The words came out as quick as popcorn. / The kids shouted like popcorn.
In Other Words: Rapid. / Bursty speed.
60. Like a bouncy ball
Meaning: Fast and jumpy
Within a Sentence: He ran like a bouncy ball. / She bounced out the door.
In Other Words: Jumping fast. / Quick and lively.
True/False Quiz: Similes for Speed
- Saying “She ran like a cheetah” means she ran very fast.
True / False - “As slow as a turtle” is a simile for being very fast.
True / False - “He moved like a rocket” means he moved quickly.
True / False - “Like a school bell ringing” can describe something happening fast.
True / False - “She walked like a cloud” means she moved quickly.
True / False - “He ran like a kid at recess” means he was full of energy and fast.
True / False - “As fast as lightning” means very slow.
True / False - “The scooter zoomed like a jet” means it was going fast.
True / False - “He sat like a tree” means he moved quickly.
True / False - “Like a flash of light” can mean something happened quickly.
True / False - “The dog chased the ball like a bouncy ball” means it was fast and lively.
True / False - “She flew like a paper plane” means she was floating slowly.
True / False - “He moved like skates on ice” means he was fast and smooth.
True / False - “As fast as a race car” is a simile about being slow.
True / False - “She dashed like a tornado” means she moved quickly.
True / False
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Similes Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Similes nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Similes together!
Conclusion
Similes make writing more fun and easy to picture. When we want to show how fast something is, we can say it’s “like a rocket” or “as fast as lightning.” These comparisons help us imagine speed in a clear way.
Now that you know many similes for speed, you can use them in your stories, homework, or conversations. They make your words more exciting and help others understand you better. Keep practicing, and you’ll get faster at using them too.
