slow

1 of 3

adjective

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
a
: moving, flowing, or proceeding without speed or at less than usual speed
traffic was slow
b
: exhibiting or marked by low speed
he moved with slow deliberation
c
: not acute
a slow disease
d
: low, gentle
slow fire
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
slowish adjective
slowness noun

slow

2 of 3

adverb

: slowly
Slow vs. Slowly: Usage Guide

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 William 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 Amer. 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

slow

3 of 3

verb

slowed; slowing; slows

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
Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

treatment that retards tumor growth

slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention

she closed her eyes and slowed her breathing

, 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

Examples of slow in a Sentence

Adjective 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. Adverb My computer is working slow. you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes Verb The car slowed and gradually came to a stop. The extra weight slowed the truck.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Target said last week that its sales fell last year for the first time since 2016, predicting a slow 2024 as consumers become fatigued by higher prices. Bryan Mena, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Their connection was a slow burn, with Raven preferring to lead him in workout sessions rather than build their physical connection. Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2024 Paltrow takes slow, deliberate pauses between each of her sentences. USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 Under normal circumstances, individuals would have to go through the legal process to be exonerated, but that has been a slow affair. Pan Pylas, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 By 2003, 55 percent of American households had a computer with (slow) internet access. Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2024 Wendy’s later clarified to PEOPLE that customers may notice lower prices during slower parts of the day — not increases during peak hours. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 But it’s been on a slow, steady climb in more recent months. Michael Foster, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Manatees are slow swimmers and slow to reproduce − a female has one calf at a time and may tend to it for two years, according to wildlife experts. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Adverb
While humidity will be roughly the same as what was experienced during that time, forecasters said wind gusts – a main driving factor of the fast-spreading blazes – will be about 20 mph slower. Li Cohen, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 Will the streaming spigot slow to a trickle, forcing auteurs to find new homes for their pricey passion projects? Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Briner said the process in Minnesota is not going slower than in other states. Steve Karnowski, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 Crossings slow in Eagle Pass An aerial view shows migrants walking next to razor wire after crossing the Rio Grande to seek asylum at sunset in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Feb. 4, 2024. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2024 These are a super flexible shoe, and the insole is actually removable for anyone who wants to start slow in the barefoot world and work their way into a true barefoot feel. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2024 The district advised residents to ensure that storm drains are clear to avoid potential minor flooding and to drive slow, since visibility will be lower. Austin Turner, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024 On top of that, our hair grew back much slower and had a finer texture, making future waxing experiences even easier. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024 The committee of advocates, lawyers, healthcare professionals and correctional experts has also struggled to navigate state government, which much of the group found moved slower than anticipated. Jaden Edison, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2024
Verb
His voice is thin and clotted, and his gestures have slowed, but, in our conversation, his mind seemed unchanged. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 This was done to slow down the pace at which supply of bitcoin can be added to circulation, with the number of bitcoins that will ever be created being capped at 21 million as a way to mimic finite resources like gold. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, its share price nearly doubled in 2023 and is showing no signs of slowing down—this week, Pandora’s stock rose to a record-breaking high. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 4 Mar. 2024 But the breakneck pace of growth is showing signs of slowing down, as consumer sentiment remains shaky. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 4 Mar. 2024 The trains were suspended again last week after the slide accelerated, then resumed Thursday night after the hillside’s movement slowed. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 High pressure should slow the approach of low pressure slowly coming from the south, but a stray shower is possible. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 And while the 49ers’ defense has been among the best in the league, slowing down Amir Abdur-Rahim’s hot-shooting Bulls will be one of their biggest challenges yet. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024 Compton and her daughter, Destiny Jackson, are trying to get a memorial sign installed near the area where Davis was killed as a way to remind people to slow down while driving. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English slāw; akin to Old High German slēo dull

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of slow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near slow

Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slow. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

slow

1 of 3 adjective
1
a
: not quick to understand
a slow learner
b
: stupid
c
: naturally slow-moving
2
a
: unwilling to take prompt action
b
: not easily aroused or excited
was slow to anger
3
a
: moving, flowing, or proceeding without speed or at less than usual speed
traffic was slow
b
: not vigorous or active
a slow fire
c
: taking place at a low rate or over a considerable period of time
slow progress in negotiations
4
: having qualities that hinder or stop rapid progress or action
a slow racetrack
5
a
: registering behind or below what is correct
the clock is slow
b
: that is behind the time at a specified time or place
6
: lacking in activity or liveliness
a slow market
slowish adjective
slowly adverb
slowness noun

slow

2 of 3 adverb
: in a slow manner

slow

3 of 3 verb
: to make or go slow or slower
often used with down or up

More from Merriam-Webster on slow

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