Meaning & use
gain speed
Last updated
UK/ˌɡeɪn ˈspiːd/
US/ˌɡeɪn ˈspiːd/
Meaning
phraseintransitive
To start moving faster or to increase in speed.
Grammar: Used without an object: The car gained speed. Not 'gain speed something'.
Patterns
- something gains speed
- gain speed quickly
- gain speed on something
The train began to gain speed as it left the station.
The cyclist gained speed on the downhill section.
The project gained speed after we hired more staff.
Word forms
| third person singular | gains speed |
|---|---|
| past tense | gained speed |
| past participle | gained speed |
| -ing form | gaining speed |
Common combinations
- gain speed rapidly
- The rocket gained speed rapidly after launch.
- begin to gain speed
- The car began to gain speed on the straight road.
- gain speed on the straight
- The runner gained speed on the straight.
- gain speed downhill
- The skateboarder gained speed downhill.
Synonyms and how they differ
- accelerate
- More formal and often used for vehicles or processes; 'gain speed' is more common in everyday speech.
- speed up
- Similar but can be used transitively: 'speed up the process'; 'gain speed' is always intransitive.
Opposites
lose speedslow down
Word family
Commonly confused: gain speed or gain momentum?
gain speed vs gain momentum
Means to increase in strength or importance, not just physical speed.
Practice
The car ______ as it went down the hill.
Choose one answer.
The phrase is 'gain speed' without an article; 'gained speed' is the correct past tense form. The other options incorrectly add an article or use a plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gain speed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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