slow

adjective

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\ ˈslō

Definition of slow

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : mentally dull : stupid a slow student

b : naturally inert or sluggish

2a : lacking in readiness, promptness, or willingness

b : not hasty or precipitate was slow to anger

3a : 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

6a : 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

7a : 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

slow

adverb

Definition of slow (Entry 2 of 3)

: slowly

slow

verb

slowed; slowing; slows

Definition of slow (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from slow Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Slow vs. Slowly: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More About slow

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Choose the Right Synonym for slow

Verb

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. language barriers retarded their progress slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention medication slowed the patient's heart rate , 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

Slow vs. Slowly: Usage Guide

Adverb

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

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 Joan Serviss, the executive director of the Arizona Housing Coalition, said the stringent application process is part of the reason aid has been slow to reach those in need. — Jessica Boehm, The Arizona Republic, 16 June 2021 Avoid frequent fertilization of your crops; if needed, use granular products containing some slow-release formulation and water immediately after application. — Brittany Trang, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 16 June 2021 But the administration has been slow to fulfill the president's campaign promises to overhaul the U.S. immigration system as other legislative priorities like COVID-19 relief and infrastructure have taken center stage. — Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY, 15 June 2021 The White House has been slow to nominate a full cast of antitrust enforcers, creating uncertainty about the administration’s approach to enforcing U.S. laws that are designed to promote and protect competition. — Brent Kendall, WSJ, 15 June 2021 The hurricane center said some slow development will be possible in the next few days, and a tropical depression could form late this week. — Leigh Morgan, al, 15 June 2021 Deviating from this norm denied our children what was promised to them by the slow march of time. — Elissa Strauss, CNN, 15 June 2021 When submerged by the incoming tide, limpets set out on a slow journey across the intertidal boulders of their habitat. — Robert Macfarlane, The New York Review of Books, 15 June 2021 That meant no one would be fired for being too slow. — New York Times, 15 June 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb The jerky is ranch-raised and every batch is slow cooked to bring out the flavors dog love. — Tim Kohut, BGR, 16 June 2021 Currently, his most popular item is The Dirt Farmer, a panini sandwich made with slow-cooked Mississippi pot roast, provolone cheese and horseradish sauce on a hoagie. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 10 June 2021 With the blessing of their new stars, Brooklyn bundled up its best young talent — the organic, slow-cooked core of that heroic rebuild — and said goodbye. — New York Times, 2 June 2021 Milk slow-cooked with sugar in a banana leaf is a staple of south Indian festivals. — Washington Post, 28 May 2021 Memphis-style barbecue is known for using a dry rub or wet rub with meat that’s slow-cooked in a pit. — Jeanette Settembre, Fox News, 26 May 2021 And the carnitas in the Hula Hula tacos are slow-cooked in a banana leaf and served on a corn tortilla. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2021 Then dive into the 118-degree, slow-cooked Tasmanian ocean trout dressed with a rhubarb-peppercorn jus and rhubarb jam. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 May 2021 Then came the various savory and sweet courses, beginning with luscious bluefin tuna belly layered with slow-cooked egg yolk and insipid Bulgarian sturgeon roe, which had a nice textural contrast of crispy quinoa. — John Mariani, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb That came in response to leaked letters and secret recordings purporting to show some leaders tried to slow-walk accountability efforts and intimidate and retaliate against those who advocated on the issue. — BostonGlobe.com, 16 June 2021 But the cumbersome filtering machines would continue to slow down production. — Washington Post, 16 June 2021 But the cumbersome filtering machines would continue to slow down production. — Christopher Rowland, Anchorage Daily News, 16 June 2021 Drivers encountering one should slow down and change lanes if possible, Meyer said. — Tim Harlow, Star Tribune, 10 June 2021 This is typically where Leonard will slow things down. — Shane Young, Forbes, 7 June 2021 Feler said a lag in international tourism given the persistence of COVID-19 and patchy vaccination rollouts abroad could slow California’s rebound, particularly the reopening of hotels and restaurants. — Margot Roosevelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2021 Many have said that an uptick in mortgage rates would eventually slow price growth. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2021 While there is no cure for Parkinson's, Felder said that regular exercise can slow its progression. — Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 19 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.