slacken
C1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
to become or make something less tight, firm, or fast.
To reduce in intensity, speed, or activity; to become less strict, diligent, or vigorous.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily describes a deliberate or natural transition from a state of tension or high activity to a more relaxed one. Can apply to physical objects (ropes), forces (wind), processes (pace), or human effort/attention.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it similarly in physical and metaphorical senses.
Connotations
Neutral. Often implies a controlled, intentional reduction rather than a collapse.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English, particularly in literary or descriptive contexts, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP ___ (intransitive: The wind slackened.)NP ___ NP (transitive: He slackened the line.)NP ___ off (phrasal verb: Demand slackened off.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “slacken one's pace”
- “never slacken one's efforts”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe a decrease in market demand, production rate, or economic activity (e.g., 'Growth is expected to slacken in Q3').
Academic
Used in historical or social analysis to describe a reduction in intensity (e.g., 'Public pressure for reform began to slacken').
Everyday
Common for describing physical actions like loosening a knot or reducing speed during a walk or drive.
Technical
Used in nautical, engineering, or textile contexts to describe releasing tension from a line, cable, or fabric.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The downpour finally began to slacken.
- You'll need to slacken the mainsail before changing tack.
- We must not slacken our vigilance regarding cybersecurity.
American English
- The contractor told us to slacken the bolts before removal.
- Economic growth is forecast to slacken next quarter.
- She refused to slacken her grip on the steering wheel.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form of 'slacken').
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form of 'slacken').
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'slack', not 'slacken').
American English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'slack', not 'slacken').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The rain will slacken soon.
- Slacken the rope a little.
- The wind slackened in the evening.
- He slackened his pace so I could catch up.
- The company's efforts to innovate have not slackened.
- You should slacken off the training regimen before the competition.
- The government showed no sign of slackening its austerity measures.
- After decades of expansion, demographic pressures began to slacken.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SLACK rope becoming even more SLACK-ENed.
Conceptual Metaphor
EFFORT/SPEED IS TENSION (reducing effort is like loosening a tight rope).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'ослабевать' in all contexts. 'Slacken' implies a controlled reduction from a previously taut/high state, not general weakness. For 'relax mentally', use 'relax', not 'slacken'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'slacken' as a direct synonym for 'stop' (Incorrect: 'The rain slackened and stopped.' Better: 'The rain slackened and then stopped.').
- Overusing in informal spoken contexts where 'slow down' or 'loosen' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'slacken' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar, but 'slacken' often implies a reduction from a previously taut, tight, or intense state, while 'slow down' is more general for reduction in speed.
'Slack' is primarily an adjective describing a state of looseness or low activity. 'Slacken' is a verb describing the process of becoming slack or making something slack.
Yes, but typically for tension, vigilance, or resolve (e.g., 'His resolve never slackened'), not for general emotions like sadness or happiness.
No. 'Slacken off' is a common phrasal verb, especially for effort, demand, or activity. The simple verb 'slacken' is often sufficient, particularly for physical loosening.