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slow

SaySLOH/sloʊ//sləʊ/

Adjectiveslower, slowest

Verbslows, slowing, slowed

Adverbslower, slowest

10 meanings of slow

Practice

  1. 1
    lacking speedadjective
    Moving, acting, or happening without much speed, so that it takes a long time.

    Like a snail crossing the yard while a rabbit zooms past.

    The old computer is so slow that one page takes a minute to load.

    We walked at a slow pace behind the tour group.

    UsageSay a slow car and drive slowly. People also say drive slow, especially in informal English.

    Similarsluggish, unhurried, leisurely, plodding, gradual

    Oppositefast, quick, rapid, speedy

    Note
  2. 2
    reduce speedverbtransitive or intransitive
    To go less fast, or to make something go less fast.

    She slowed the car before the sharp turn.

    Please slow the video so I can see the steps.

    UsageYou can also say slow down: slow the car down.

    Similardecelerate, brake, slacken

    Oppositeaccelerate, quicken, hasten

  3. 3
    at a crawladverb
    At a low speed, in a way that is not quick.

    Drive slow when children are playing nearby.

    The line at the bank moved slow, and we waited almost an hour.

    UsagePut it after the verb: go slow. In formal writing, slowly is usually preferred.

    Similarunhurriedly

    Oppositefast, quickly

    Note
  4. 4
    little going onadjective
    Not busy, with few customers or little going on.

    Business is slow at the diner on Monday mornings.

    Things were slow at work today, so I cleaned out my desk.

    UsageSay business is slow or a slow day.

    Similarquiet, slack, sluggish, dead

    Oppositebusy, brisk, hectic

    Note
  5. 5
    not hastyadjective
    Careful and not in a hurry when doing or deciding things.

    Dad is slow to make promises, but he always keeps them.

    Be slow to believe everything strangers tell you online.

    UsageSay slow to act or slow to believe.

    Similarreluctant, hesitant, cautious, unhurried

    Oppositequick, hasty, prompt, swift

    Note
  6. 6
    dulladjective
    Dull and boring, without much energy or excitement.

    The party was slow until the band finally started playing.

    The game was slow and dull, and many fans left before the end.

    Similardull, boring, sluggish, tedious, plodding

    Oppositelively, brisk, exciting, energetic

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of slow apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English slāw, meaning slow or sluggish. It goes back to an older Germanic word meaning blunt, dull, or weak, and maybe further back to a root meaning bad.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • Slow derives from Old English slāw, meaning slow or sluggish. en.wiktionary.org
  • The Old English word descends from an older Germanic word meaning blunt, dull, or weak. en.wiktionary.org
  • A further connection to a root meaning bad is possible. en.wiktionary.org