Quickie is a slang term for a brief sexual encounter, usually one that takes place within time constraints. Quickies can be spontaneous or planned. It is important to note, however, that the term "quickie" is relative. What might be a short sexual encounter for some may be on the long side for others. One study of 500 (heterosexual) couples found that the average time between starting vaginal sex and ejaculation was between 33 seconds and 44 minutes!
The term quickie tends to denote a quick sexual encounter that skips over some of the sensual aspects and foreplay that might often precede orgasm. For people with vulvas, reaching orgasm during a quickie may be more difficult; research has shown that it takes women somewhere between six and 20 minutes to climax during partnered sex, while men tend to orgasm within five to seven minutes. Sex toys can be used to reduce this time for many people with vulvas. In addition, many people find that the intensity and excitement of a quickie make orgasm easier to achieve. It's also important to note that orgasm isn't the only reason to have sex and many people still enjoy sexual encounters when orgasm does not occur.
Parents of young children are often advised to schedule quickies when they can in order to keep their sexual relationships alive despite time constraints and limited privacy. A survey by Leesa found that sexual frequency was reduced by 47% after children were born.
