SLOW

adjective

Synonyms

Dilatory; late; lingering; tardy; sluggish; dull; inactive. Slow, Tardy, Dilatory. Slow is the wider term, denoting either a want of rapid motion or inertness of intellect. Dilatory signifies a proneness to defer, a habit of delaying the performance of what we know must be done. Tardy denotes the habit of being behind hand; as, tardy in making up one's acounts.

Definitions

1. Moving a short space in a relatively long time; not swift; not quick in motion; not rapid; moderate; deliberate; as, a slow stream; a slow motion.
2. Not happening in a short time; gradual; late. These changes in the heavens, though slow, produced Like change on sea and land, sidereal blast. Milton.
3. Not ready; not prompt or quick; dilatory; sluggish; as, slow of speech, and slow of tongue. Fixed on defense, the Trojans are not slow To guard their shore from an expected foe. Dryden.
4. Not hasty; not precipitate; acting with deliberation; tardy; inactive. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding. Prov. xiv. 29.
5. Behind in time; indicating a time earlier than the true time; as, the clock or watch is slow.
6. Not advancing or improving rapidly; as, the slow growth of arts and sciences.
7. Heavy in wit; not alert, prompt, or spirited; wearisome; dull. [Colloq.] Dickens. Thackeray.

Other Definitions

This word also has 3 other definitions:

SLOW (adverb)

Slowly. Let him have time to mark how slow time goes In time of sorrow. Shak.

SLOW (noun)

imp. of Slee, to slay. Slew. Chaucer.

SLOW (verb)

To render slow; to slacken the speed of; to retard; to delay; as, to slow a steamer. Shak.

Added: October 09, 2025 Updated: October 09, 2025

← Back to search