slow-motion

1 of 2

adjective

ˈslō-ˈmō-shən 

: of, relating to, or being movie or video photography in which the action that has been photographed is made to appear to occur slower than it actually occurred

a slow-motion replay

also : slowly moving

a slow-motion dance

slow motion

2 of 2

noun

: slow-motion photography

Examples of slow-motion in a Sentence

Noun

The scene was shot in slow motion.

They showed the goal in slow motion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But of course, the serenity of a slow-motion unfolding of the day inevitably devolves into the annual discussions, debates and diatribes dedicated to the food of the day. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025

From that point on, the transcript reads like a slow-motion countdown, with Zane providing occasional updates on how many drinks remained. —Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

Noun

The optical illusion, which is caused by Mercury’s slow motion, causes disruption and disorder to earthlings. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 6 Nov. 2025

Some users posted clips of their Lego sets in dramatic slow motion, while others layered satirical audio clips over montages of the East Wing being ripped off plastic miniatures. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slow-motion

• commotion
• demotion
• devotion
• emotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion
• lotion
• notion
• ocean
• potion

Kids Definition

slow motion

noun

: action in a film or television picture apparently taking place more slowly than it actually occurred

slow-motion adjective