slow
1 of 3adjective
ˈslō 
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
ˈslō-ish
adjective slowness noun
slow
2 of 3adverb
: slowly
slow
3 of 3verb
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
Synonyms
Adjective
- crawling
- creeping
- dallying
- dawdling
- dilatory
- dillydallying
- dragging
- laggard
- lagging
- languid
- leisurely
- poking
- poky
- pokey
- sluggish
- snaillike
- snail-paced
- tardy
- unhurried
Adverb
- laggardly
- leisurely
- pokily
- slowly
- sluggishly
- tardily
Verb
- brake
- decelerate
- retard
- slacken
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Rex Nelson, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2022 Cincinnati had a chance to take advantage of that range towards the end of the second quarter trailing 14-3 amidst another slow start. Michael Niziolek, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2022 That long-running problem was intensified by what critics say was former President Donald Trump's administration's slow response to Hurricane Maria, which extended the impact of the storm, including the longest blackout in American history. Glenn Gamboa, ajc, 14 Sep. 2022 The school district fired Police Chief Pete Arredondo for the slow law enforcement response to the shooting. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 When Princess Diana died in a car crash in August 1997, Queen Elizabeth's slow public response to the tragedy made many question her judgment. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Among the critics of the slow DTE response is U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, whose district includes Detroit and Downriver suburbs. Emma Stein, Detroit Free Press, 31 Aug. 2022 Montes told La Voz that while there has been a slow response from the government, the fear of being the next journalist on the list is still present. Diana García, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 The slow response of the U.S. public health system has galvanized a community that has always had to protect itself. Ofole Mgbako, STAT, 22 Aug. 2022 Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022 From the creators of The American, Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, comes a slow-burn psychological thriller about a serial killer who wants to cure himself of his homicidal tendencies. oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 From slow-burn gothic scares and spooky cult weirdness to creative takes on undead freaks and opening wide the gates of hell, this is your sure-fire list of what horror series are hot on Netflix right now. Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 19 Aug. 2022 There is a bit of romance in the book, with a slow-burn attraction between Violet and the prince of the kingdom. Seth Combscontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2022 See the vibey coastal announcement video — soundtracked by a slow-burn guitar solo presumably taken from the new album — below. Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 June 2022 For those who like to mull over movies (and aren't too susceptible to nightmares) a slow-burn kind of fright is far more satisfying. Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 22 June 2022 The singer’s new mini-album, Facade, dropped June 14, with five tracks showcasing a mix of slow-burn R&B and groovy dancefloor bangers. Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2022 Liotta’s old-school slow-burn and explosive energy is put to uproarious effect. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2022 Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2022 Or is this going to slow him down processing or take away? Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 If emotions slow you down, Boyle suggests a financial therapist. Laura Mcmullen, oregonlive, 24 Aug. 2022 Trying to tackle too much too soon will slow you down. Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Cookies, location services, and ad networks can slow you down and even pose privacy and security risks. Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2022 The Bulldogs made eight 3-pointers, six in the second half after the Roman opponent switched to a zone defense in an attempt to slow them down. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Aug. 2022 The coming election can either accelerate the country’s move toward this kind of authoritarianism or begin to slow it down. Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 3 Aug. 2022 The housing market, as one of the most interest-rate sensitive corners of the economy, has been the epicenter of the Fed’s effort to stimulate growth last year and to slow it this year. Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 27 July 2022 See More
Adjective
The biggest upset saw North Little Rock finally come to life after a slow start and knock off Little Rock Parkview, which came into the game as our No. 1 team in Class 5A. Rex Nelson, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2022 Cincinnati had a chance to take advantage of that range towards the end of the second quarter trailing 14-3 amidst another slow start. Michael Niziolek, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2022 That long-running problem was intensified by what critics say was former President Donald Trump's administration's slow response to Hurricane Maria, which extended the impact of the storm, including the longest blackout in American history. Glenn Gamboa, ajc, 14 Sep. 2022 The school district fired Police Chief Pete Arredondo for the slow law enforcement response to the shooting. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 When Princess Diana died in a car crash in August 1997, Queen Elizabeth's slow public response to the tragedy made many question her judgment. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Among the critics of the slow DTE response is U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, whose district includes Detroit and Downriver suburbs. Emma Stein, Detroit Free Press, 31 Aug. 2022 Montes told La Voz that while there has been a slow response from the government, the fear of being the next journalist on the list is still present. Diana García, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 The slow response of the U.S. public health system has galvanized a community that has always had to protect itself. Ofole Mgbako, STAT, 22 Aug. 2022 Adverb
Worry Darling received an enthusiastic reception at its world premiere Monday night in Venice despite the whiff of slow-burn scandal that has been trailing the film for weeks. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022 From the creators of The American, Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, comes a slow-burn psychological thriller about a serial killer who wants to cure himself of his homicidal tendencies. oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 From slow-burn gothic scares and spooky cult weirdness to creative takes on undead freaks and opening wide the gates of hell, this is your sure-fire list of what horror series are hot on Netflix right now. Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 19 Aug. 2022 There is a bit of romance in the book, with a slow-burn attraction between Violet and the prince of the kingdom. Seth Combscontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2022 See the vibey coastal announcement video — soundtracked by a slow-burn guitar solo presumably taken from the new album — below. Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 June 2022 For those who like to mull over movies (and aren't too susceptible to nightmares) a slow-burn kind of fright is far more satisfying. Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 22 June 2022 The singer’s new mini-album, Facade, dropped June 14, with five tracks showcasing a mix of slow-burn R&B and groovy dancefloor bangers. Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2022 Liotta’s old-school slow-burn and explosive energy is put to uproarious effect. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2022 Verb
While completely stopping the run is all but impossible, Saturday’s game will likely come down to who can slow it the most. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2022 Or is this going to slow him down processing or take away? Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 If emotions slow you down, Boyle suggests a financial therapist. Laura Mcmullen, oregonlive, 24 Aug. 2022 Trying to tackle too much too soon will slow you down. Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Cookies, location services, and ad networks can slow you down and even pose privacy and security risks. Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2022 The Bulldogs made eight 3-pointers, six in the second half after the Roman opponent switched to a zone defense in an attempt to slow them down. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Aug. 2022 The coming election can either accelerate the country’s move toward this kind of authoritarianism or begin to slow it down. Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 3 Aug. 2022 The housing market, as one of the most interest-rate sensitive corners of the economy, has been the epicenter of the Fed’s effort to stimulate growth last year and to slow it this year. Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 27 July 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing slow
Kids Definition
slow 1 of 3
adjective
ˈslō
slower; slowest
1
: moving, flowing, or going at less than the usual speed
slow music
Traffic was slow.
2
: taking more time than is expected or desired
We had a slow start on the project.
3
: not as smart or as quick to understand as most people
4
: not active
Business was slow.
5
: indicating less than is correct
My watch is five minutes slow.
6
: not easily aroused or excited
Grandmother is slow to anger.
slow
2 of 3verb
slowed; slowing
: to go or make go less than the usual speed
The car slowed around the corner.
The heavy load slowed the wagon. slow
3 of 3adverb
slower; slowest
: in a slow way
Can you talk slower?
slow 1 of 3
adjective
1
as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed because of the holiday, traffic to the beach was particularly slow slow readers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- leisurely
- slowing
- sluggish
- lagging
- pokey
- unhurried
- creeping
- crawling
- dawdling
- dilatory
- dragging
- laggard
- poky
- snail-paced
- tardy
- languid
- poking
- dallying
- deliberate
- snaillike
- dillydallying
- lethargic
- plodding
- ambling
- lingering
- inactive
- measured
- decelerating
- loafing
- inert
- tarrying
- shuffling
- loitering
- lounging
- heavy-footed
- stalling
- inching
- slow-footed
- strolling
- procrastinating
- filibustering
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rapid
- swift
- fast
- speedy
- quick
- hasty
- rushing
- brisk
- lightning
- breakneck
- running
- speeding
- meteoric
- breathless
- snappy
- dizzy
- whirlwind
- hurrying
- ready
- expeditious
- whirling
- racing
- flying
- prompt
- fleet
- rocketing
- accelerated
- bolting
- quickened
- barreling
- scudding
- hastened
- zipping
- hurried
- rushed
- scooting
- scurrying
- warp-speed
- whisking
- careering
2
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd Synonyms & Similar Words
- dumb
- stupid
- simple
- thick
- dull
- dense
- soft
- foolish
- dim
- unreasonable
- silly
- idiotic
- ignorant
- mad
- obtuse
- insane
- crazy
- unintelligent
- dopey
- thickheaded
- mindless
- senseless
- opaque
- boneheaded
- irrational
- dunderheaded
- idiotical
- fatuous
- dorky
- lamebrain
- vacuous
- bonehead
- witless
- brainless
- dim-witted
- pinheaded
- doltish
- softheaded
- slow-witted
- oafish
- gormless
- airheaded
- brain-dead
- unsmart
- thick-witted
- lamebrained
- lunkheaded
- moronic
- dopy
- absurd
- fool
- chuckleheaded
- weak-minded
- knuckleheaded
- bubbleheaded
- unwise
- simpleminded
- half-witted
- empty-headed
- feebleminded
- birdbrained
- lunatic
- uninformed
- unthinking
- daft
- uneducated
- dippy
- imbecile
- illogical
- illiterate
- sappy
- unintellectual
- untaught
- nutty
- wacky
- invalid
- lowbrow
- zany
- cretinous
- nonsensical
- looney
- asinine
- cuckoo
- whacky
- boobish
- dotty
- screwball
- daffy
- balmy
- kooky
- loony
- preposterous
- fallacious
- tomfool
- featherheaded
- imbecilic
- half-baked
- harebrained
- crackpot
- cockeyed
- kookie
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fast
- quick
- brilliant
- sharp
- apt
- nimble
- intelligent
- smart
- clever
- bright
- keen
- wise
- acute
- ingenious
- resourceful
- brainy
- keen
- thinking
- cerebral
- knowing
- savvy
- insightful
- perceptive
- intellectual
- astute
- sagacious
- skilled
- knowledgeable
- learned
- discerning
- ultrasmart
- literate
- scholarly
- erudite
- reasonable
- sage
- trained
- quick-witted
- supersmart
- informed
- sound
- sharp-witted
- cunning
- shrewd
- perspicacious
- hyperintelligent
- prudent
- wily
- educated
- sensible
- crafty
- logical
- judicious
- sapient
- valid
- sane
- rational
- highbrow
- percipient
- well-read
- schooled
- foxy
3
as in sleepy
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation a slow day on Wall Street Synonyms & Similar Words
- sleepy
- sluggish
- dead
- idle
- vacant
- comatose
- dormant
- off
- lethargic
- torpid
- inactive
- fallow
- inert
- free
- latent
- inoperative
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- busy
- lively
- bustling
- alive
- humming
- vibrant
- flourishing
- thriving
- animated
- buzzing
- astir
- swarming
- overflowing
- teeming
- abounding
- thronging
4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting Synonyms & Similar Words
- boring
- tiring
- stupid
- weary
- heavy
- dull
- old
- wearying
- dusty
- dry
- annoying
- tedious
- tame
- irritating
- pedestrian
- ponderous
- monotonous
- tiresome
- stodgy
- uninteresting
- wearisome
- drudging
- leaden
- drab
- humdrum
- dreary
- arid
- exhausting
- numbing
- flat
- stale
- colorless
- monochromatic
- stuffy
- ho-hum
- pallid
- jejune
- mind-numbing
- draining
- uneventful
- jading
- blah
- unspectacular
- unexciting
- sterile
- dullish
- unimaginative
- irksome
- soggy
- barren
- prosy
- uninspiring
- unrewarding
- blank
- plodding
- discouraging
- gray
- spiritless
- undramatic
- bothersome
- prosaic
- cumbersome
- fatiguing
- unsensational
- debilitating
- earthbound
- tepid
- suspenseless
- enervating
- pedantic
- pokey
- aseptic
- inanimate
- pleasureless
- unnewsworthy
- common
- ordinary
- lumbering
- commonplace
- poky
- wearing
- enfeebling
- unsurprising
- demoralizing
- disheartening
- grey
- longsome
- unexceptional
- dispiriting
- palling
- vapid
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- interesting
- surprising
- spectacular
- wonderful
- exciting
- intriguing
- involving
- engaging
- amazing
- moving
- absorbing
- engrossing
- awesome
- exhilarating
- riveting
- astonishing
- marvelous
- stimulating
- wondrous
- gripping
- marvellous
- astounding
- thrilling
- stirring
- amusing
- inspiring
- sensational
- breathtaking
- entertaining
- energizing
- fabulous
- rousing
- electrifying
- attractive
- charming
- galvanizing
- poignant
- fascinating
- invigorating
- enlivening
- touching
- animating
- beguiling
- rip-roaring
- diverting
- enthralling
- alluring
- bewitching
- enchanting
- attracting
- entrancing
- suspenseful
- eye-opening
- hair-raising
- provocative
- mesmerizing
- spellbinding
- tantalizing
- captivating
- arresting
slow
2 of 3verb
as in to brake
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace if you don't slow your delivery down a bit, your speech will be over too soon Synonyms & Similar Words
- brake
- retard
- impede
- hinder
- inhibit
- stop
- halt
- decelerate
- restrain
- slacken
- curb
- obstruct
- hamper
- check
- bottleneck
- thwart
- set back
- handicap
- rein
- frustrate
- tie up
- hobble
- sabotage
- hold back
- constrain
- arrest
- encumber
- foil
- baffle
- hold up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- accelerate
- hurry
- hasten
- rush
- quicken
- push
- encourage
- step up
- speed (up)
- urge
- drive
- spur
- stir
- forward
- facilitate
- propel
- help
- aid
- expedite
- ease
- further
- advance
- goad
- dispatch
slow
3 of 3adverb
as in slowly
at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes Synonyms & Similar Words
- slowly
- sluggishly
- leisurely
- cautiously
- laggardly
- deliberately
- tardily
- purposefully
- pokily
- carefully
- heavily
- ploddingly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fast
- rapidly
- quickly
- swift
- quick
- swiftly
- briskly
- speedily
- hastily
- immediately
- apace
- promptly
- soon
- readily
- recklessly
- presto
- fleetly
- meteorically
- full tilt
- abruptly
- impulsively
- rashly
- suddenly
- snappily
- impetuously
- pronto
- posthaste
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.
medication slowed the patient's heart rate
In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.
bad weather delayed our arrival
The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.
unexpected business had detained her
While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.
language barriers retarded their progress
The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.
on hot days runners slacken their pace