What is fastness? Pronunciation and usage in English

fastness means . Learn how to pronounce and use fastness through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of fastness

fastnessnoun

/ˈfɑːstnəs//ˈfæstnəs/

Okay, "fastness" is a tricky word! Here's a breakdown of how to pronounce it, aiming for a natural-sounding English pronunciation:

1. Syllable Breakdown:

  • Fast: This part is pretty straightforward. It sounds like "fast" as in "fast car."
  • ness: This is the tricky part. It’s a suffix that adds the idea of quality or state.

2. Pronunciation:

Here’s a breakdown of the sounds:

  • “fast”: /fæst/ (rhymes with "cast") - The "a" sounds like the "a" in "father".
  • “ness”: /nɛs/ (like "niss") - The "e" is a short "e" sound, as in “bed.”

Putting it together:

The word "fastness" is pronounced /fæstnɛs/

Tips for Saying it Right:

  • Stress: Put the primary stress on the first syllable - "fast."
  • Linking: The “st” from “fast” smoothly connects to the “s” in “ness.” Don’t pronounce them distinctly.
  • "ness" sound: The “ness” part should sound like “niss.” Don’t overemphasize the "s."

Resources to Listen:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/fastness/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.
  • Google Translate: Type "fastness" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.

Common Mispronunciations:

Many people pronounce “fastness” as “fast-ness,” emphasizing both syllables. Remember that the “ness” is a single, connected sound.

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any part of the pronunciation further?
  • Give you example sentences using the word?

Usage and examples with the word fastness in English

Let's break down how to use the word "fastness" in English. It's a bit of a specialized word, often found in technical contexts, particularly related to textiles and coatings.

1. Core Meaning:

At its heart, "fastness" refers to the ability of something to hold firmly or remain attached. It describes the resistance to detachment, loosening, or separation.

2. Common Usage – Textiles:

This is where you'll most frequently encounter “fastness.” It’s almost exclusively used in the textile industry to describe how well a dye, print, or finish adheres to a fabric. Here's how it's used:

  • Wash Fastness: This is the most common usage. It describes how well a color remains vibrant and doesn’t fade or bleed after repeated washing. Example: “This shirt has excellent wash fastness, so you won't have to worry about the colors running.”
  • Light Fastness: Describes how well a color resists fading when exposed to sunlight. Example: "The fabric has good light fastness, making it suitable for outdoor use."
  • Rub Fastness: Describes how well a print or dye resists rubbing off during wear. Example: "The screen print has acceptable rub fastness, but might fade after heavy use."
  • Pillow Fastness: How well a color holds during repeated pillowcases being washed and dried.
  • Dry Clean Fastness: How well colors hold after professional dry cleaning.

3. Usage in Coatings & Adhesives (Less Common):

"Fastness" can also describe the adhesion of a coating to a surface or the bonding strength of an adhesive.

  • "The primer provides excellent fastness to the metal, preventing rust."
  • “The adhesive has good fastness under extreme temperature conditions.”

4. Grammatical Usage:

  • Noun: “The fabric exhibited poor fastness.” (The ability to hold is being discussed.)
  • Adjective: "fastness" can be used to describe something. "The garment has a high degree of fastness.” (Describing the quality of the fabric.)

5. Synonyms (depending on the context):

  • Adhesion (more general term for sticking)
  • Retention (especially for dyes)
  • Durability (broader term describing how long something lasts)
  • Resistance (to detachment)

6. Examples in Sentences:

  • "Choosing fabrics with high wash fastness is crucial for durable clothing."
  • "The paint's fastness to weathering ensured the building's longevity."
  • "The adhesive demonstrated excellent fastness when applied to the composite material."

Resources for Further Research:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "fastness"? (e.g., are you writing about clothing, paints, adhesives, etc.?)

Synonyms for the word fastness

Practice with vocabulary fastness

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The startup's impressive _________ in developing new software features allowed them to quickly capture a significant market share.
  2. Understanding the _________ of light is fundamental to many principles in physics and astronomy.
  3. The project team was praised for its _________ in addressing the unexpected technical issues, preventing any significant delays.
  4. For accurate financial reporting, the _________ of data entry is just as crucial as its speed.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which word(s) best describe the quality of a system that can process vast amounts of information in milliseconds? a) fastness b) rapidity c) durability d) transparency
  2. The management emphasized the importance of a swift and decisive response to market changes. Which term(s) could describe this desired quality? a) agility b) inertness c) fastness d) promptness
  3. In the realm of high-frequency trading, success often hinges on the extreme _________ with which orders can be executed. a) slowness b) precision c) fastness d) celerity
  4. The consultant highlighted that the key to avoiding costly errors lies in the _________ of the data, not just its quick collection. a) comprehensiveness b) fastness c) accuracy d) reliability
  5. To ensure the long-term viability of the product, engineers focused on enhancing its _________ against wear and tear. a) obsolescence b) resilience c) fastness d) sturdiness

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The incredibly quick turnaround time for project delivery was a key factor in winning the contract. Rewrite the sentence, starting with "The fastness..."
  2. Understanding the speed at which information travels online is crucial for cybersecurity. Rewrite the sentence using "fastness" as a noun.
  3. The company's ability to rapidly adapt to market shifts is vital for its survival. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement for "rapidly adapt" that does NOT use "fastness".

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The startup's impressive fastness in developing new software features allowed them to quickly capture a significant market share.
  2. Understanding the fastness of light is fundamental to many principles in physics and astronomy.
  3. The project team was praised for its promptness in addressing the unexpected technical issues, preventing any significant delays.
  4. For accurate financial reporting, the accuracy of data entry is just as crucial as its speed.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) fastness, b) rapidity
  2. a) agility, c) fastness, d) promptness
  3. c) fastness, d) celerity
  4. a) comprehensiveness, c) accuracy, d) reliability
  5. b) resilience, d) sturdiness

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The fastness of project delivery's turnaround time was a key factor in winning the contract.
  2. Understanding the fastness of information travel online is crucial for cybersecurity.
  3. The company's agility in adapting to market shifts is vital for its survival.

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