sprinting
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All five words describe fast movement on foot, but they differ in distance, purpose, and register. 'Sprint' implies maximum effort over a short distance — under 400 metres in sports contexts — and is the most precise term for an all-out burst. 'Dash' is more informal and suggests a very short, sudden run, often for a practical goal like catching a bus ('I dashed across the street'). 'Race' always carries a competitive element: you race against someone, even if only in your imagination. 'Bolt' describes a startled, explosive start from a stationary position, like a horse bolting from a barn. 'Run' is the general-purpose word for any speed above a walk and can cover any distance. In practice: 'The athlete sprinted the final 100 metres' is specific and technical; 'He dashed out of the rain' is everyday and casual; 'She ran to the shop' makes no claim about speed at all.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'sprint' comes from the Old English 'springan' (to leap or burst forth), related to the Old Norse 'springa' (to run). By the 16th century it had taken on the meaning of running at top speed over a short distance. The form 'sprinting' as a noun describing the sport or activity appeared in the late 19th century, around the time modern athletics competitions were first organised.