slack

adjective

\ˈslak

Definition of slack

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : not using due diligence, care, or dispatch : negligent

2a : 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

3a : 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

verb

slacked; slacking; slacks

Definition of slack (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to be or become slack

2 : to shirk or evade work or duty

transitive verb

1a : to be slack or negligent in performing or doing

b : lessen, moderate

2 : to release tension on : loosen

3a : to cause to abate

b : slake sense 3

slack

noun (1)

Definition of slack (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : cessation in movement or flow

2 : a part of something that hangs loose without strain take up the slack of a rope

3 : trousers especially for casual wear —usually used in plural

4 : a dull season or period

5a : a part that is available but not used some slack in the budget

b : a portion (as of labor or resources) that is required but lacking hired a temp to take up the slack

6 : additional leeway or relief from pressure —usually used with cut refused to cut me some slack on the schedule

slack

noun (2)

Definition of slack (Entry 4 of 5)

dialectal, England

: a pass between hills

slack

noun (3)

Definition of slack (Entry 5 of 5)

: the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleaned

Other Words from slack Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about slack

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Choose the Right Synonym for slack

Adjective

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness. negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business. negligent about writing a note of thanks neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention. a society callously neglectful of the poor lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision. a reporter lax about accurate quotation slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care. slack workmanship remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect. had been remiss in their familial duties

Examples of slack in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Verb

They need to stop slacking and get down to work. the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail

First Known Use of slack

Adjective

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

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1729, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for slack

Adjective

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

Noun (2)

Middle English slak, from Old Norse slakki

Noun (3)

earlier sleck, probably from Middle Dutch slacke, slecke slag

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