First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1slack
adjective \ˈslak\
: not stretched or held in a tight position
: not busy : lacking the expected or desired activity
: doing something poorly because you are not putting enough care or effort into it
Full Definition of SLACK
1
: not using due diligence, care, or dispatch : negligent
2
a : characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack of energy <a slack pace> b : moderate in some quality; especially : moderately warm <a slack oven> c : blowing or flowing at low speed <the tide was slack>
3
a : not tight or taut <a slack rope> b : lacking in usual or normal firmness and steadiness : weak <slack muscles> <slack supervision>
4
: wanting in activity : dull <a slack market>
5
: lacking in completeness, finish, or perfection <a very slack piece of work>
— slack·ly adverb
— slack·ness noun
See slack defined for English-language learners
See slack defined for kids
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Origin of SLACK
Middle English slak, from Old English sleac; akin to Old High German slah slack, Latin laxus slack, loose, languēre to languish, Greek lagnos lustful and perhaps to Greek lēgein to stop
Related to SLACK
- Synonyms
- careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, remiss, negligent
- Antonyms
- attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent
Synonym Discussion of SLACK
negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness. negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business <negligent about writing a note of thanks>. neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention <a society callously neglectful of the poor>. lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision <a reporter lax about accurate quotation>. slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care <slack workmanship>. remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect <had been remiss in their familial duties>.
2slack
verb
: to give little or no effort or attention to work
Full Definition of SLACK
intransitive verb1
: to be or become slack
2
: to shirk or evade work or duty
transitive verb
2
: to release tension on : loosen
3
a : to cause to abate b : slake 3
See slack defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SLACK
13th century
3slack
noun
Definition of SLACK
1
: cessation in movement or flow
2
: a part of something that hangs loose without strain <take up the slack of a rope>
3
: trousers especially for casual wear —usually used in plural
4
: a dull season or period
5
a : a part that is available but not used <some slack in the budget> b : a portion (as of labor or resources) that is required but lacking <hired a temp to take up the slack>
6
: additional leeway or relief from pressure —usually used with cut <refused to cut me some slack on the schedule>
First Known Use of SLACK
1756
4slack
noun
Definition of SLACK
dial English : a pass between hills
Origin of SLACK
Middle English slak, from Old Norse slakki
First Known Use: 14th century
5slack
noun
Definition of SLACK
: the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleaned
Origin of SLACK
earlier sleck, probably from Middle Dutch slacke, slecke slag
First Known Use: 1729
SLACK[1] Defined for Kids
1slack
adjective \ˈslak\
Definition of SLACK for Kids
1
2
: not energetic : slow <a slack pace>
3
: not tight or firm <a slack rope> <a slack jaw>
4
: not busy or active <Business is slack.>
2slack
verb
slackedslack·ing
Definition of SLACK for Kids
1
: to make or become looser, slower, or less energetic
2
: to avoid work
— slack·er \ˈsla-kər\ noun
3slack
noun
Definition of SLACK for Kids
1
: a part (as of a rope or sail) that hangs loose without strain
2
slacks plural : dressy pants
3
: a portion (as of work or resources) that is required but lacking <He was hired to take up the slack.>
4
: additional relief from pressure Hint:This sense is usually used with cut. <Can you cut me some slack on the schedule?>
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