26984 words

slow

14 definitions • 34 examples
1
moving, happening, or doing something without much speed:

Examples:

She's a very slow eater.
We're making slow but steady progress with the painting.
slow to The government was very slow to react to the problem.
Business is always slow during those months because everyone's on holiday.
2
used to describe a film, book, play, etc. that does not have much excitement and action:

Examples:

His films are so slow they send me to sleep.
3
A person might be described as slow if they are not very clever and do not understand or notice things quickly:

Examples:

I feel so slow when I'm with Andrew - he's so much brighter than me.
slow on the uptake I was a bit slow on the uptake there - I didn't follow his reasoning at all.
4
If a clock or watch is slow, it shows a time that is earlier than the real time:

Examples:

That clock is ten minutes slow.
5
(of an oven) cool:

Examples:

Bake in the centre of a very slow oven, 150°C or 310°F, for an hour and a quarter.
6
to reduce speed or activity, or to make something do this:

Examples:

slow to a crawl Traffic slows to a crawl (= goes so slowly it almost stops) during rush hour.
The pilot was asked to slow his approach to the runway.
7
at a slow speed:

Examples:

I can't walk any slower.
slow-moving traffic
a slow-burning candle
mainly US He drives too slow!
8
lacking speed; not fast or quick:

Examples:

He was far too slow to catch me.
We were slow to understand how we could use computers in our work.
9
A clock or watch that is slow shows a time that is earlier than the correct time.
10
A person who is slow does not understand or learn things quickly:

Examples:

11
to reduce speed or activity, or to make something do this:

Examples:

[ I ] Traffic slowed to a crawl.
[ T ] There's still a chance to slow the spread of the disease.
12
happening without much speed:

Examples:

slow growth/progress/recovery Small companies are making a slow recovery from the recession.
Growth in this sector has been slower than predicted.
Despite a rather slow start, the month ended well.
The slow pace of recovery in the labor market could not be denied.
be slow to do sth The company was slow to react to changing market conditions.
13
if business, sales, etc. are slow, there is very little activity:

Examples:

Business is always slow during summer vacation.
slow months/season
14
to become slower or less active or to make something slower or less active:

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