slow
slow Lexical Profile
slow Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Moving, operating, or happening at a low speed; taking a relatively long time to cover a distance or complete an action.
"The heavy rain caused a slow commute into the city center this morning."
Lacking liveliness, excitement, or brisk activity; slack or quiet in business or entertainment.
"Restaurants often experience a slow period during the middle of the afternoon."
Not prompt to understand, think, or learn; lacking mental agility or quickness of perception.
"He was initially slow to grasp the complex calculus concepts, but his persistence paid off."
Showing a time earlier than the actual or official time (of a clock or watch).
"I missed the train because my wristwatch was five minutes slow."
• verb
To reduce one's speed, or to cause something or someone to move or proceed at a lower speed.
"The freight train began to slow as it approached the rural station."
To become less active, intense, or productive (especially of an economy, market, or process).
"Housing construction tends to slow during the colder winter months."
• adverb
At a low speed; in a slow or unhurried manner.
"Drivers are advised to go slow when navigating the icy mountain roads."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adverb, 'slow' is a flat adverb commonly used in informal speech, road signs, and compound imperatives (e.g., 'Go slow', 'Drive slow'), whereas 'slowly' is preferred in formal writing and before the main verb.
• Rhymes for slow
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English slāw ('sluggish, dull, torpid, tardy'), from Proto-Germanic *slaiwaz ('blunt, dull, sluggish'), with cognates in Old Norse sljór ('blunt') and Dutchon sluw.