SINCE 1828

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slowpoke

noun slow·poke \ ˈslō-ˌpōk \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of slowpoke

: a very slow person

See slowpoke defined for English-language learners

See slowpoke defined for kids

Examples of slowpoke in a Sentence

We're going to be late if that slowpoke doesn't hurry up.
quit being such a slowpoke this morning, or you'll be late

Recent Examples of slowpoke from the Web

Yet the state’s logic seems impeccable: Left-lane slowpokes can cause accidents by making other drivers angry and therefore reckless.

— joe queenan, WSJ, "Let’s Ticket the Slowpokes of Our Society," 12 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of slowpoke

¹slow + poke annoyingly stupid person

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1848

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

slowpoke Synonyms

Synonyms

crawler, dallier, dawdler, dragger, laggard, lagger, lingerer, loiterer, plodder, snail, straggler;

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

go-getter, hustler, scrambler;

hurrier, rusher, speeder;

Related Words

idler, lazybones, loafer, lounger, slouch, slug, sluggard;

delayer, procrastinator;

SLOWPOKE Defined for English Language Learners

slowpoke

noun

Definition of slowpoke for English Language Learners

: a person who moves, acts, or works very slowly

SLOWPOKE Defined for Kids

slowpoke

noun slow·poke \ ˈslō-ˌpōk \

Definition of slowpoke for Students

: a very slow person

Learn More about slowpoke

See words that rhyme with slowpoke Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slowpoke

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Examples: slowpoke in a Sentence