Main Entry:

¹slack

Pronunciation:

\ˈslak\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

1: not using due diligence, care, or dispatch : negligent2 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>

synonyms see negligent

— slack·ly adverb

— slack·ness noun