slack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal and informal, with technical use in engineering, business, and computing contexts.
Quick answer
What does “slack” mean?
Not sufficiently tight, firm, or taut.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Not sufficiently tight, firm, or taut; showing a lack of activity or demand.
To reduce one's activity or effort; to be negligent or lazy. Also refers to a period of low activity in business, or to excess play in a rope or mechanism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly. The compound 'slack off' (verb) is equally common. The technical term for play in a rope or cable is more frequent in British engineering contexts.
Connotations
Negative connotation of laziness is strong in both. In business contexts, 'slack period' is neutral.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “slack” in a Sentence
[N] slack off[ADJ] slack (on something)[V] to slack (on one's duties)[V] to take up the slackVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “slack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team must not slack in the final quarter.
- You've been slacking on the tidying up.
American English
- He tends to slack off once the boss leaves.
- Don't slack on your responsibilities.
adverb
British English
- Used in compounds like 'slack-baked' (poorly baked), now archaic.
American English
- Used in compounds like 'slack-filled' (underfilled), a regulatory term.
adjective
British English
- Pull the slack rope tight.
- Trade is usually slack in January.
American English
- The cable felt dangerously slack.
- We're in a slack season for tourism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a period of low sales or activity: 'We hire temporary staff during busy seasons to cover the slack periods.'
Academic
Used in economics or management studies to discuss underutilised resources or labour market conditions.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe laziness or a lack of tightness: 'The washing line has gone slack.' 'Don't slack on your homework.'
Technical
In engineering/mechanics: the amount of loose play in a cable, chain, or system before tension is applied.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “slack”
- Using 'slack' as a countable noun for a person (incorrect: *'He is a slack.' Correct: 'He is slack.' or 'He is a slacker.')
- Confusing 'slack' (adj/verb) with 'slack' (n) meaning small coal dust or a valley (rare).
- Misspelling as 'slak'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, but not always. In technical contexts (e.g., 'engine slack') it is a neutral measurement. In business ('slack period'), it is descriptive but can have negative implications.
'Slack' often refers to physical looseness or a decrease in activity/effort. 'Lax' more specifically describes a lack of strictness, care, or discipline in rules, standards, or behaviour.
Yes. It can mean: 1) a period of low activity ('winter slack'), 2) the loose part of a rope ('take up the slack'), 3) (informal) a state of negligence ('a bit of slack').
It means to treat someone less severely or critically, to give them a break or more freedom, often temporarily.
Not sufficiently tight, firm, or taut.
Slack is usually formal and informal, with technical use in engineering, business, and computing contexts. in register.
Slack: in British English it is pronounced /slak/, and in American English it is pronounced /slæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cut someone some slack”
- “take up the slack”
- “slack off”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SLACK rope - it SAGS and LACKS tension.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIGHTNESS IS CONTROL/DILIGENCE; LOOSENESS IS NEGLIGENCE/LOW ACTIVITY.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does a 'slack period' most likely refer to?