slow
A1 (High frequency)Neutral (Used in all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
Moving or operating at a low speed; not fast.
Lacking quickness of perception, comprehension, or reaction; intellectually dull; behind the correct time (as of a clock); sluggish or inactive in business; not burning readily (as a fire).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning extends from physical speed to cognitive speed (a slow learner), temporal accuracy (a slow clock), and metaphorical activity (a slow market). Can be neutral or negative, but can be positive in contexts like 'slow food' or 'slow living'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, 'slow' is less commonly used as an adverb without '-ly' in formal writing, though it is acceptable. AmE more readily accepts flat adverb usage (e.g., 'drive slow'). The phrase 'slow up' is slightly more common in AmE.
Connotations
Largely identical. The cultural movement 'slow food' originated in Italy but is used equally.
Frequency
Equal frequency and core usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] + slow + (adv) (e.g., The car slowed.)[S] + slow + O (e.g., She slowed the car.)[S] + slow + O + down/up (e.g., He slowed the process down.)Be/look/seem + slowBe/look/seem + slow + to-infinitiveVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Slow and steady wins the race.”
- “A slow burn”
- “Slow off the mark”
- “Slow your roll”
- “Slow coach (BrE)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to low activity or growth: 'The market has been slow this quarter.'
Academic
Describes pace of change or cognition: 'The theory gained slow acceptance.'
Everyday
Describes speed of movement or action: 'The queue is moving very slow.'
Technical
In physics/engineering: 'slow neutrons'; in photography: 'slow shutter speed'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The train began to slow as it approached the station.
- We need to slow the rate of decline.
- Growth is expected to slow down next year.
American English
- You should slow up when you enter the work zone.
- The economy is slowing.
- He slowed the car to a crawl.
adverb
British English
- My grandmother prefers to take life slow.
- Go slow on that bend.
- The clock runs slow.
American English
- Drive slow through the school zone.
- Take it slow and easy.
- He talks way too slow for my liking.
adjective
British English
- It was a slow journey due to roadworks.
- He's a bit slow at understanding new concepts.
- My watch is five minutes slow.
American English
- Traffic is slow on the freeway.
- Business is real slow right now.
- She gave a slow, confident nod.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bus is very slow.
- Please walk slow, I can't keep up.
- My computer is old and slow.
- Economic recovery has been slower than predicted.
- She slowed her pace to match his.
- The internet connection is painfully slow today.
- The government has been slow to respond to the crisis.
- He's not stupid, just a little slow on the uptake sometimes.
- We need to slow the spread of misinformation.
- The negotiations have slowed to a glacial pace, frustrating all parties involved.
- A slow-burning resentment eventually led to the partnership's dissolution.
- The film uses slow motion to exquisite aesthetic effect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SLOW: Snails Like On-going Wanderings. They move SLOW.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS INTELLIGENCE (a slow mind), TIME IS MOTION (a slow day drags), ACTIVITY IS SPEED (a slow market).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing 'slow' with 'long' (долгий) when referring to time duration.
- Remember that 'slow' as a verb (to slow down) is замедлять(ся), not просто 'быть медленным'.
- The adverb can be 'slowly', but 'slow' is also correct in many contexts (drive slow).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'slowly' as an adjective (*a slowly car).
- Overusing 'slow' for 'late' (He was slow for the meeting).
- Incorrect comparative: 'more slow' instead of 'slower' in formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'slow' used as an adverb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 'Slow' is a flat adverb. 'Drive slow' is common in informal speech, especially in AmE. 'Drive slowly' is the more traditional form and is preferred in formal writing.
'Sluggish' implies a more negative, lethargic, or abnormally slow pace, often due to heaviness, laziness, or illness (e.g., a sluggish economy, feeling sluggish after lunch). 'Slow' is more neutral and descriptive.
Yes. In movements like 'slow food' or 'slow living', it connotes mindfulness, quality, and sustainability over haste and mass production. Phrases like 'a slow smile' can also be positive.
Both 'slower/slowest' and 'more slow/most slow' are grammatically correct. However, 'slower' and 'slowest' are far more common and natural for one-syllable adjectives. 'More/most slow' is used for special emphasis or stylistic effect.
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Basic Adjectives
A1 · 46 words · Fundamental describing words used every day.