slow

1 of 3

adjective

1
a
: mentally dull : stupid
a slow student
b
: naturally inert or sluggish
2
a
: lacking in readiness, promptness, or willingness
b
: not hasty or precipitate
was slow to anger
3
a
: 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
6
a
: 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
7
a
: 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
slowish adjective
slowness noun

slow

2 of 3

adverb

: slowly
Slow vs. Slowly: Usage Guide

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

slow

3 of 3

verb

slowed; slowing; slows

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
Choose the Right Synonym for slow

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.

treatment that retards tumor growth

slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention

she closed her eyes and slowed her breathing

, 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

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
In August, China’s industrial activity, retail sales and urban investment all grew slower than expected, with retail sales rising by barely more than 2% and industrial production by 4.5% from a year ago. Evelyn Cheng,anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024 With the Christmas season upon us, Meta is hoping the stocking-stuffer price will cause those slow adopters to get on board. Charlie Fink, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Adverb
Traditionally, birria is a beef or goat stew, slow cooked with spices and chiles to give the meat lots of flavor. Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2024 Gregory noted that county officials are quick to use money for farmland preservation, but some have moved slower on figuring out how to use opioid settlement money. Anthony Hennen | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Sep. 2024
Verb
But will the extended break slow the momentum of the team with an NL-best 15-6 record this month? Jerry Beach, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 Treasury yields eased in the bond market after a report showed inflation slowed in August by a bit more than economists expected. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slow 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English slāw; akin to Old High German slēo dull

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of slow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near slow

Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slow. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

slow

1 of 3 adjective
1
a
: not quick to understand
a slow learner
b
: stupid
c
: naturally slow-moving
2
a
: unwilling to take prompt action
b
: not easily aroused or excited
was slow to anger
3
a
: moving, flowing, or proceeding without speed or at less than usual speed
traffic was slow
b
: not vigorous or active
a slow fire
c
: taking place at a low rate or over a considerable period of time
slow progress in negotiations
4
: having qualities that hinder or stop rapid progress or action
a slow racetrack
5
a
: registering behind or below what is correct
the clock is slow
b
: that is behind the time at a specified time or place
6
: lacking in activity or liveliness
a slow market
slowish adjective
slowly adverb
slowness noun

slow

2 of 3 adverb
: in a slow manner

slow

3 of 3 verb
: to make or go slow or slower
often used with down or up

More from Merriam-Webster on slow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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