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 the most striking of the new songs is the opener, a slow-motion unfurling against a backdrop of heartbeats and zithers. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

Referee Raphael Claus walked to the sideline monitor, watched a slow-motion replay, and sent Balogun off for serious foul play. — Oded Netzer, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Noun

Replays in slow motion show the action from different angles, including from overhead or (an unhappy recent innovation) the referee’s body camera. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026

Every shot is essentially a performance from beginning to end in slow motion. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026

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