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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Slow: Meanings, Examples, and Usage Tips (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：not fast (slow)

slow 🔊

/sloʊ/

adj., adv., v.

Moving, happening, or doing something without much speed; not fast.

Turtle racing rabbit slow movement cartoon illustration

not fast 🔊

➕

/nɑːt fæst/

adj., adv., v.

This meaning describes something that moves, happens, or is done at a low rate of speed.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'slāw' meaning sluggish or dull.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a snail – its pace is always slow.

📖 Example

The traffic on the highway was slow because of the heavy rain. 🔊 The traffic on the highway was slow because of the heavy rain.

🔗 Collocations

slow down – to reduce speed or move more slowly

slow speed – a rate of movement that is not fast

slow progress – advancement that happens at a low pace

🔄 Synonyms

leisurely (adj.) – done without hurry; relaxed

gradual (adj.) – happening slowly over time

unhurried (adj.) – not rushed; done at a comfortable pace

🚫 Antonyms

fast (adj.) – moving or capable of moving at high speed

quick (adj.) – moving rapidly or done in a short time

rapid (adj.) – happening in a short time or at great speed

🌱 Derivatives

slowly (adv.) – at a slow speed; not quickly

slowness (n.) – the quality of being slow

slowdown (n.) – a reduction in speed or activity

📖 Cultural Story

From Old English 'slāw'. In modern culture, 'slow' is a key word on road signs ('Slow Down'), guiding drivers to reduce speed for safety.

Meaning 2：time-consuming (slow)

slow 🔊

/sloʊ/

adj., adv., v.

Taking a long time; not happening or progressing quickly.

time-consuming 🔊

➕

/ˈtaɪm kənˌsuːmɪŋ/

adj., adv., v.

This meaning refers to an action or process that requires a lot of time, often seeming delayed.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My phone is getting old, so apps take a slow time to load. 🔊 My phone is getting old, so apps take a slow time to load.

🔗 Collocations

slow loading – a delay in the process of loading data or content

slow process – a procedure that takes a long time to complete

slow response – a reaction or reply that occurs after a noticeable delay

🔄 Synonyms

lengthy (adj.) – lasting for a long time or seeming too long

prolonged (adj.) – extended in time; unusually long

delayed (adj.) – happening later than expected or desired

🚫 Antonyms

quick (adj.) – done in a short time; fast

rapid (adj.) – happening in a short time or at great speed

swift (adj.) – happening quickly or immediately

🌱 Derivatives

slowly (adv.) – in a slow manner

slowness (n.) – the state of being slow

Meaning 3：slow-witted (slow)

slow 🔊

/sloʊ/

adj., adv., v.

Not quick to understand, learn, or react; not sharp or fast-thinking.

Student thinking slowly solving puzzle at desk

slow-witted 🔊

➕

/ˌsloʊˈwɪtɪd/

adj., adv., v.

This describes someone who takes more time than usual to understand or grasp new concepts or skills.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I'm a bit slow at picking up new dance moves, so I need to practice more. 🔊 I'm a bit slow at picking up new dance moves, so I need to practice more.

🔗 Collocations

slow learner – a person who takes more time to learn than average

slow to react – taking longer than usual to respond to a situation

slow understanding – comprehension that occurs gradually

🔄 Synonyms

dull (adj.) – not sharp or quick in understanding

obtuse (adj.) – slow to understand; not alert or perceptive

dim-witted (adj.) – lacking intelligence or quickness of mind

🚫 Antonyms

sharp (adj.) – mentally quick and perceptive

quick-witted (adj.) – able to think and respond rapidly

bright (adj.) – intelligent and quick to learn

🌱 Derivatives

slow-wittedness (n.) – the quality of being slow to understand

slowly (adv.) – in a way that is not quick