Slow

Lacking in speed; moving, acting, or reacting at a lower rate than usual, Not quick to understand, think, or react; mentally sluggish, Not progressing or developing at the expected or desired rate

Slow - Meanings

Lacking in speed; moving, acting, or reacting at a lower rate than usual

Example: The traffic was moving slowly due to the accident ahead.

Usage: informalContext: everyday conversations

Note: This is the most common meaning of 'slow' and can refer to physical movement, processes, or reactions.

Not quick to understand, think, or react; mentally sluggish

Example: She's a bit slow when it comes to grasping new concepts.

Usage: informalContext: casual settings

Note: Used to describe someone who may take more time to comprehend things or respond.

Not progressing or developing at the expected or desired rate

Example: The project is moving slowly due to budget constraints.

Usage: formalContext: professional environments

Note: Often used in business or academic contexts to indicate a lack of progress or growth.

Slow's synonyms

sluggish

Sluggish means lacking energy or slow-moving.

Example: After a heavy meal, he felt sluggish and tired.

Note: Sluggish implies a lack of quickness or alertness.

lethargic

Lethargic means lacking in energy or enthusiasm.

Example: She felt lethargic after staying up all night studying.

Note: Lethargic suggests a lack of interest or motivation, in addition to being slow.

deliberate

Deliberate means done consciously and intentionally.

Example: She took deliberate steps as she approached the podium.

Note: Deliberate implies a slow and careful manner, often with a purpose.

plodding

Plodding means moving slowly with heavy steps.

Example: The plodding pace of the old horse made the journey longer.

Note: Plodding emphasizes a laborious and monotonous slowness.

Slow expressions, common phrases

Slow and steady wins the race

This phrase emphasizes that consistent and careful progress is better than rushing and making mistakes.

Example: I know progress seems slow, but remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the importance of being steady and consistent rather than focusing solely on being slow.

Slow as molasses

This phrase compares the slowness of something to molasses, which is a thick, slow-flowing syrup.

Example: The traffic was moving as slow as molasses this morning, it took me an hour to get to work.

Note: This phrase is a colorful way to express extreme slowness, emphasizing the viscosity of molasses for emphasis.

Slow down

This phrase means to reduce speed or pace, both physically and mentally, to relax and take things easy.

Example: You need to slow down and enjoy life more, you're always in a rush.

Note: This phrase is a direct command to decrease speed or intensity, often used in driving or when someone is moving too quickly.

Slow on the uptake

This phrase means someone is slow to understand or comprehend something.

Example: He's a bit slow on the uptake, so you might need to explain it to him again.

Note: This phrase specifically refers to someone being slow to grasp a concept or idea, rather than just being physically slow.

Slow off the mark

This phrase means being slow to react or respond to a situation, often resulting in a disadvantage.

Example: I was slow off the mark in responding to the email, and now they've already found another solution.

Note: This phrase is used in situations where someone is slow to initiate action or respond to a prompt, leading to missed opportunities.

At a snail's pace

This phrase means moving very slowly, similar to how a snail moves.

Example: The construction work is progressing at a snail's pace; it's taking forever to finish.

Note: This phrase uses the imagery of a snail's slow pace to convey a sense of extreme slowness in progress or movement.

Slow everyday (slang) expressions

Drag one's feet

To take unnecessary time or delay something

Example: Stop dragging your feet and let's get moving!

Note: Refers more to delaying a task rather than being inherently slow

Lollygag

To spend time in an aimless or idle manner

Example: Quit lollygagging and finish your work

Note: Implies a lack of urgency or purpose rather than just being slow

Poke around

To move or act slowly and reluctantly

Example: He's just poking around instead of getting the job done

Note: Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or commitment, leading to slowness

Dilly-dally

To waste time through aimless actions or indecision

Example: We don't have time to dilly-dally, make a decision now!

Note: Focuses on wasting time through indecisiveness rather than just moving slowly

Turtle-paced

Moving at an extremely slow rate

Example: The project is moving at a turtle-paced speed

Note: Emphasizes a very slow speed using the image of a turtle

Snail-like

Progressing at a very slow pace

Example: Her progress was snail-like in the marathon

Note: Compares progress to the speed of a snail, indicating extreme slowness

Slow - Examples

The slow train arrived at the station.

She walked slowly towards the door.

The slow internet connection made it difficult to work.

Slow grammar

Slow - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)

Lemma: slow

Conjugations

Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): slower

Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): slowest

Adjective (Adjective): slow

Adverb, comparative (Adverb, comparative): slower

Adverb, superlative (Adverb, superlative): slowest

Adverb (Adverb): slow

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): slowed

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): slowing

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): slows

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): slow

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): slow

Syllabification and Stress

slow Contains 1 syllables: slow

Phonetic transcription: ˈslō

slow , ˈslō (The red syllable is stressed)

Slow - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

slow: ~ 1700 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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