First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1slow
adjective \ˈslō\
: not moving quickly : not able to move quickly
: not happening quickly : taking more time than is expected or wanted
: not operating quickly
Full Definition of SLOW
1
a : mentally dull : stupid <a slow student> b : naturally inert or sluggish
2
a : lacking in readiness, promptness, or willingness b : not hasty or precipitate <was slow to anger>
3
4
: requiring a long time : gradual <a slow recovery>
5
: having qualities that hinder rapid progress or action <a slow track>
6
a : registering behind or below what is correct <the clock is slow> b : less than the time indicated by another method of reckoning c : that is behind the time at a specified time or place
7
a : lacking in life, animation, or gaiety : boring <the first chapter is a bit slow> b : marked by reduced activity <business was slow> <a slow news week>
— slow·ish \ˈslō-ish\ adjective
— slow·ness noun
See slow defined for English-language learners
See slow defined for kids
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Origin of SLOW
Middle English, from Old English slāw; akin to Old High German slēo dull
Related to SLOW
- Synonyms
- crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, languid, leisurely, poking, poky (or pokey), sluggish, snaillike, snail-paced, tardy, unhurried
- Antonyms
- barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy, fast, fleet, flying, hasty, hurrying, lightning, meteoric, quick, racing, rapid, rocketing, running, rushing, scooting, scudding, scurrying, snappy, speeding, speedy, swift, warp-speed, whirling, whirlwind, whisking, zipping
2slow
adverb
: in a slow way or at a low speed
Full Definition of SLOW
: slowly
See slow defined for English-language learners
Usage Discussion of SLOW
Some commentators claim that careful writers avoid the adverb slow, in spite of the fact that it has had over four centuries of usage <have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower — Shakespeare>. In actual practice, slow and slowly are not used in quite the same way. Slow is almost always used with verbs that denote movement or action, and it regularly follows the verb it modifies <beans…are best cooked long and slow — Louise Prothro>. Slowly is used before the verb <a sense of outrage, which slowly changed to shame — Paul Horgan> and with participial adjectives <a slowly dawning awareness…of the problem — American Labor>. Slowly is used after verbs where slow might also be used <burn slow or slowly> and after verbs where slow would be unidiomatic <the leadership turned slowly toward bombing as a means of striking back — David Halberstam>.
First Known Use of SLOW
15th century
3slow
verb
: to begin to move at a lower speed
: to make (something, such as a car) move at a lower speed
: to become slower
Full Definition of SLOW
transitive verb : to make slow or slower : slacken the speed of <slow a car> —often used with down or up
intransitive verb
: to go or become slower <production of new cars slowed sharply>
See slow defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SLOW
1557
Related to SLOW
- Synonyms
- brake, decelerate, retard, slacken
- Antonyms
- accelerate, hasten, hurry, quicken, rush, speed (up), step up
Synonym Discussion of SLOW
delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival <bad weather delayed our arrival>. retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping <language barriers retarded their progress>. slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention <medication slowed the patient's heart rate>, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort <on hot days runners slacken their pace>. detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time <unexpected business had detained her>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
SLOW Defined for Kids
1slow
adjective \ˈslō\
slow·erslow·est
Definition of SLOW for Kids
1
: moving, flowing, or going at less than the usual speed <slow music> <Traffic was slow.>
2
: taking more time than is expected or desired <We had a slow start on the project.>
3
: not as smart or as quick to understand as most people
4
: not active <Business was slow.>
5
: indicating less than is correct <My watch is five minutes slow.>
6
: not easily aroused or excited <Grandmother is slow to anger.>
— slow·ly adverb
— slow·ness noun
2slow
verb
slowedslow·ing
Definition of SLOW for Kids
: to go or make go less than the usual speed <The car slowed around the corner.> <The heavy load slowed the wagon.>
Headscratcher for SLOW
You can slow up and you can slow down. Either way, you're doing the same thing: you're going slower.
3slow
adverb
slow·erslow·est
Definition of SLOW for Kids
: in a slow way <Can you talk slower?>
Learn More About SLOW
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