slack

¹slack

adj \ˈslak\

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

Examples of SLACK

1. His broken arm hung slack at his side.
2. The rope suddenly went slack.
3. He accused the government of slack supervision of nuclear technology.

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SLACK

Synonyms: careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, remiss, negligent

Antonyms: attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent

Related Words: heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild; unguarded, unwary; forgetful; disregardful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking; apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested; delinquent; loose

Near Antonyms: meticulous, painstaking, punctilious; cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded; alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful; foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible; thinking, thoughtful; concerned, interested

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at negligent

Rhymes with SLACK

back, black, Braque, clack, claque, crack, flack, flak, hack, jack, knack, lac, lack, lakh, mac, Mac, pack, plaque, quack, rack, sac, sack, sacque, shack, smack, snack, stack, tach, tack, thwack, track, Wac, wack, whack, wrack, yak