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slow Definition

slow (slō)

adjective

  1. not quick or clever in understanding; dull; obtuse
    1. taking a longer time than is expected or usual to act, move, go, happen, etc.
    2. not hasty, quick, ready, or prompt a slow retort, slow to anger
  3. making relatively little progress for the time spent; marked by low speed, rate of rhythm, etc.; not fast or rapid
  4. holding back fast progress, development, etc.; making speed or progress difficult a slow growing season, a slow track
  5. showing a time that is behind the correct time: said of a timepiece
    1. passing slowly or tediously a slow afternoon
    2. not lively or interesting; dull or boring a slow town
  7. characterized by little activity; slack slow trading
  8. lacking in energy; sluggish
  9. behind the times; out of fashion
  10. burning so as to give off a low or moderate heat a slow fire
  11. gradual, as growth
  12. Photog.
    1. having less sensitivity to light than other film, etc.: such film may require a longer exposure period
    2. allowing less light to enter than other lenses

Etymology: ME slowe < OE slaw, akin to Du sleeuw, ON slær, dull < ?

transitive verb

  1. to make slow or slower
  2. to retard; delay

intransitive verb

to go or become slow or slower: often with up or down

adverb

in a slow manner or at a slow speed; slowly

slow Related Forms
slow′ly adverb slow′·ness noun
slow Synonyms

slow

modif.

  1. Slow in motion

    sluggish, laggard, deliberate, gradual, moderate, loitering, leaden, creeping, inactive, torpid, slow moving, ultra-slow, crawling, imperceptible, snaillike, slow-paced, leisurely, glue-footed*, as slow as molasses*, as slow as molasses in January*.

    Antonyms fast*, swift*, rapid. *

  2. Slow in starting

    dilatory, procrastinating, delaying, postponing, idle, indolent, tardy, torpid, lazy, apathetic, phlegmatic, inactive, fabian, sluggish, heavy, quiet, drowsy, inert, dreamy, sleepy, lethargic, stagnant, slothful, supine, passive, slack, negligent, remiss, listless, languorous, lackadaisical, disinclined, reluctant, hesitant, enervated, dormant, abeyant, potential, latent; see also late 1.

    Antonyms immediate*, alert*, instant. *

  3. Slow in producing an effect

    belated, behindhand, backward, unpunctual, overdue, delayed, long-delayed, behindtime, regarded, impeded, detained, hindered, moss-backed.

    Antonyms busy*, diligent*, industrious. *

  4. Dull or stupid

    stolid, tame, uninteresting; see dull 3. See syn. study at stupid.

slow Synonyms

slow

v.

  1. To become slower

    slacken, slow up, slow down, lag, loiter, quiet, relax, procrastinate, back water, back and fill, stall*, let up*, wind down*, ease up*, ease off*; see also sense 2, decrease 1, hesitate.

    Antonyms rise*, accelerate*, mount. *

  2. To cause to become slower

    delay, postpone, decelerate, moderate, reduce, regulate, retard, detain, temper, qualify, decrease, diminish, hinder, impede, hold back, keep waiting, brake, curtail, check, curb, reef, shorten sail, cut down*, rein in*, cut back*; see also sense 1.

slow Usage Examples

Object

  • progression: It hadn't been too slow a progression from cold to enraptured and the show really flew along.
  • onset: Completing a sudoku puzzle requires patience and logical ability and has been proven to slow the onset of dementia.
  • pace: But their slowed pace gave her time to study her peers closer.
  • traffic: Now, several ' pinch point crossing spaces ' serve to slow traffic by reducing flow to a single lane.

Adjective complement

  • down.: This causes many of the body's functions to slow down. ) What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
  • gastric: In labor the administration of opioids markedly slows gastric emptying.

Modifies a noun

  • pace: Away from the bustling crowds on the main beaches you can enjoy a slower pace.
  • motion: They're not just ' cheesy ' slow motion to music which drags on for ages.
  • speed: Chop the 2nd tomato into bite size pieces at slow speed stirring with the tamper.
  • connection: Users with slower connections can also download individual chapters in Adobe Acrobat format by using the links on the left hand side.
  • progress: Slow progress onwards to Valley enabled a further shot on its approach to the station stop.
  • tempo: The dhrupad style is characterized by its somber, dignified and devotional mood, its slow tempo and gradual melodic development.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: They are expected to slow down further over the next four months.

Particle object:

  • digestion: It slows down digestion and absorption allowing the body to deal with nutrients at a relatively steady rate.
  • pace: After that the experienced Gutierrez slowed down the pace and fought his way back into the match.

Infinitive complement

  • react: However the goal did come on 28 minutes when City were again a little slow to react to a corner.
  • respond: Why has the World Bank been slow to respond to the MA?
  • load: It is also pretty slow to load back up again.
  • adapt: In practice, EC Delegations and ACP governments have been slow to adapt to the new participatory approach.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • down: Slow down your approach speed on your last few steps.
slow Quotes

It may be life, but ain't it slow? 397

—Herbert, SirA(lan) P(atrick)

   Ah! The clock is always slow; It is later than you think.

—Service, Robert William

And come he slow, or come he fast, It is but Death who comes at last.

—Scott, Sir Walter

   He that drinks fast, pays slow.

—Franklin, Benjamin

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

—Owen,Wilfred

God's mill grinds slow, but sure.

—Herbert, George

But I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 88

—Bible (Old Testament)

There are two kinds: one takes the music too fast, and the other too slow. There is no third!

—Saint Laurent, Louis

Nature's way of telling you to slow down.

—Anonymous

Browse dictionary entries near slow

  1. ‹ Slovensko
  2. ‹ slovenly
  3. ‹ Slovenian
  4. ‹ Slovenia
  5. ‹ sloven
  6. ‹ Slovakia
  7. ‹ Slovak
  8. ‹ slough
  9. ‹ slouchy
  10. ‹ slouch hat
  1. slow burn ›
  2. slow match ›
  3. slow motion ›
  4. slow-moving ›
  5. slow oven ›
  6. slow pitch ›
  7. slow time ›
  8. slow virus ›
  9. slow-witted ›
  10. slowdown ›