メキメキ

メ

キ

メ

キ

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

remarkably; rapidly; by leaps and bounds

Describes noticeable, often rapid improvement or progress, typically in skill or ability.

creaking; cracking sound

Mimetic use for the sound of something straining, creaking, or breaking under pressure. Less common than the progress sense.

〈人ひと〉がメキメキ（と）上じょう達たつするfor someone to improve remarkably fast (at a skill)
彼かれはテニスがメキメキと上じょう達たつした。
He improved remarkably fast at tennis.
〈物もの〉がメキメキ（と）音おとを立たてるfor something to creak or crack loudly under strain
古ふるい木きの枝えだがメキメキと音おとを立たてて折おれた。
The old tree branch creaked and then snapped.
〈人ひと〉の実じつ力りょくがメキメキ（と）伸のびるfor someone's ability to grow rapidly and visibly
新しん入にゅう社しゃ員いんの実じつ力りょくがメキメキと伸のびている。
The new employee's abilities are growing by leaps and bounds.

ぐんぐんN3sense 1
ぐんぐん stresses steady, forceful growth or progress, while メキメキ highlights noticeable, sometimes surprising improvement especially in skill.
ミシミシ sense 2
ミシミシ describes a repeated creaking sound of wood or a structure straining, while メキメキ in this sense often implies the material is about to crack or break.
どんどんN4sense 1
どんどん is a general word for anything progressing rapidly and continuously, whereas メキメキ specifically describes visible improvement in ability or skill.
すくすくN2
すくすく focuses on physical growth over time, while めきめき highlights a noticeable, often sudden improvement in skill or condition.

めっきりN2sense 1
めっきり means a sudden, noticeable change (often a decline, like weather turning cold), while メキメキ specifically describes rapid, positive improvement in skill or ability.

Onomatopoeic word mimicking the sound of something straining or cracking, later extended metaphorically to rapid, noticeable progress.