slow
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1slow
adjective \ˈslō\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
Examples of SLOW
- The buyers were slow to act, and the house was sold to someone else.
- He was a quiet boy who seldom spoke, and some people thought he was a little slow.
- Business is slow during the summer.
- The first few chapters are slow, but after that it gets better.
Origin of SLOW
Middle English, from Old English slāw; akin to Old High German slēo dull
First Known Use: before 12th century
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
adverbDefinition of SLOW
: slowly
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>.
Examples of SLOW
- My computer is working slow.
- <you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes>
First Known Use of SLOW
15th century
3slow
verbDefinition 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>
Examples of SLOW
- The car slowed and gradually came to a stop.
- The extra weight slowed the truck.
First Known Use of SLOW
1557
Related to SLOW
- Synonyms
- brake, decelerate, retard, slacken
- Antonyms
- accelerate, hasten, hurry, quicken, rush, speed (up), step up
See Synonym Discussion at delay
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