Explanation at your level:
Slow means not fast. A turtle is slow. A rabbit is fast. If you walk slowly, you are not running. You can say: 'The bus is very slow today.' It is easy to remember!
When something is slow, it takes a long time. You might have a slow internet connection, which is frustrating. We use it to describe speed, like 'a slow driver' or 'a slow train'.
At this level, you can use slow for more than just speed. You can say business is slow, meaning there are not many customers. You can also say someone is slow to react to a situation.
Use slow to describe processes or trends. A slow recovery in the economy or a slow-moving project shows you can use the word in professional contexts. Note the difference between the adjective and the adverb 'slowly'.
In advanced English, slow can imply a lack of mental agility, though be careful as it can be offensive. You might describe a slow-burning tension in a novel or a slow-motion collapse of a system. It adds nuance to your descriptions.
Mastery of slow involves understanding its figurative weight. It can describe a slow-witted person or a slow-paced lifestyle. In literature, it often contrasts with the frantic nature of modern life, acting as a thematic anchor for reflection.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Slow means not fast.
- It can be an adjective or verb.
- Use 'slowly' as an adverb.
- It is a very common word.
When we call something slow, we are describing its pace. It is the opposite of fast. You might use it for a person walking, a computer loading, or even a boring movie.
Think of the speed at which things happen. If something is slow, it is taking its time. It is a very common word in English, and you will hear it used in almost every part of your daily life.
The word slow comes from the Old English word slāw, which meant inactive or sluggish. It has roots in Germanic languages, sharing a history with words like the Dutch sleeuw.
Over centuries, it evolved from describing a person's character to describing the speed of movement. It is a Germanic survivor, keeping its simple, punchy sound through hundreds of years of language change.
You can use slow in many ways. It is common to say a slow car or a slow day. It is neutral in tone, meaning you can use it with friends or in a professional office setting.
Be careful with adverbs! While we say 'go slow' in casual speech, the grammatically 'correct' adverb is 'slowly'. However, 'slow' is often used as a flat adverb in signs like 'Drive Slow'.
Idioms make English colorful. Slow and steady wins the race means consistency is better than speed. Slow on the uptake means someone is slow to understand something.
Other favorites include slow burn, for a story that builds up over time, and slow motion, which we use to describe moving at a very reduced speed.
Slow is a one-syllable adjective. In British and American English, the IPA is /sloʊ/. It rhymes with go, low, show, flow, and grow.
It is a regular adjective, so the comparative is slower and the superlative is slowest. It is very straightforward to use in sentences!
Fun Fact
It comes from the same roots as the word 'sloth'.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'o' sound like 'go'
Long 'o' with a slight glide
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'slaw'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Missing the 'l' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
very easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Adjective vs Adverb
Slow vs Slowly
Comparatives
Slower
Superlatives
Slowest
Examples by Level
The turtle is slow.
Turtle = slow animal
Adjective after verb
My bike is slow.
My bike = not fast
Simple sentence
He walks slow.
Walking speed
Casual usage
The line is slow.
Waiting in line
Describing a situation
Is the train slow?
Question about speed
Interrogative
It is a slow day.
Not busy
Abstract usage
Don't be slow!
Hurry up
Imperative
The computer is slow.
Tech speed
Subject-verb-adj
The traffic is very slow today.
She is a slow reader.
We had a slow start to the morning.
The internet is too slow for gaming.
He is slow to finish his homework.
The movie was a bit slow at the beginning.
It is a slow process to learn a language.
Don't go too slow on the highway.
Business has been slow this quarter.
He is slow to trust new people.
The economy is showing slow growth.
We took a slow walk through the forest.
The project is making slow progress.
She has a slow, steady way of working.
The service in this restaurant is incredibly slow.
Life in the countryside is much slower.
The company is slow to adapt to new technology.
There was a slow realization that things had changed.
He prefers a slow-paced lifestyle.
The detective noticed the slow movement of the suspect.
It was a slow-burning fire that lasted all night.
The change in policy was slow to take effect.
She is slow to anger but quick to forgive.
The slow decline of the empire was inevitable.
The film is a slow-burn thriller that pays off at the end.
His slow, deliberate speech commanded attention in the room.
The transition to renewable energy has been frustratingly slow.
She possesses a slow, quiet confidence.
The slow erosion of rights is a major concern.
The slow-motion replay showed the foul clearly.
He is slow-witted but incredibly kind.
The slow pace of the negotiations disappointed everyone.
The slow, rhythmic ticking of the clock filled the room.
Despite the slow start, the symphony reached a crescendo.
The slow-moving clouds created a melancholic atmosphere.
His slow, measured response indicated deep thought.
The slow decay of the old mansion was tragic.
The slow, methodical approach yielded the best results.
She felt the slow creep of exhaustion.
The slow-motion nature of the accident was surreal.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"slow and steady wins the race"
consistency is better than speed
Don't rush; slow and steady wins the race.
neutral"slow on the uptake"
slow to understand
He is a bit slow on the uptake.
casual"at a snail's pace"
very slowly
The work is moving at a snail's pace.
neutral"slow burn"
gradual development
The movie is a slow burn.
casual"take it slow"
go at a relaxed pace
Let's take it slow today.
casual"slow-motion"
very slow movement
It felt like it was in slow-motion.
neutralEasily Confused
both refer to speed
adjective vs adverb
He is slow; he walks slowly.
both mean slow
sluggish implies lack of energy
The market is sluggish.
both imply time
gradual means happening in steps
A gradual change.
both imply time
delayed means late
The flight was delayed.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + slow
The computer is slow.
Subject + is + slow to + verb
He is slow to answer.
Subject + slows + down
The car slows down.
It is a slow + noun
It is a slow day.
Subject + is + getting + slower
He is getting slower.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Slow is an adjective; slowly is the adverb.
One-syllable adjectives use -er.
The verb is slow, not slowly.
One-syllable adjectives use -est.
Slowly is an adverb; use low for nouns.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a snail on your desk.
Native Speakers
Use it to complain about traffic.
Cultural Insight
Don't call people slow.
Grammar Shortcut
Slow = Adjective, Slowly = Adverb.
Say It Right
Make the 'o' long.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'more slow'.
Did You Know?
It shares roots with 'sloth'.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about your day.
Comparative Rule
Use -er for one syllable.
Rhyme Time
Rhymes with flow.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
SLO-w: Snail Loves Only walking.
Visual Association
A snail moving across a leaf.
Word Web
Défi
Try to say everything in slow motion for one minute.
Origine du mot
Old English
Original meaning: inactive, sluggish
Contexte culturel
Calling a person 'slow' can be offensive; it is better to use 'slow to understand'.
Used often to describe traffic or internet speeds.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
traffic
- slow traffic
- traffic is slow
- slow down
work
- slow progress
- slow start
- slow business
technology
- slow connection
- slow loading
- slow response
daily life
- slow pace
- take it slow
- slow walk
Conversation Starters
"Do you prefer a fast or slow life?"
"What is the slowest thing you have seen?"
"Are you slow to wake up in the morning?"
"What do you do when internet is slow?"
"Do you like slow-paced movies?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a slow day.
Write about a time you had to slow down.
How do you feel when things are slow?
Is being slow ever a good thing?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsIt can be in casual speech, but 'slowly' is the standard adverb.
Use 'slower' and 'slowest'.
Yes, but be careful not to sound rude.
Fast.
Yes, 'to slow down'.
No, it rhymes with go.
Extremely common.
Yes, 'a slow movie' is a boring one.
Teste-toi
The turtle is very ___.
Turtles are known for being slow.
Which is the opposite of slow?
Fast is the direct opposite.
Slowly is an adjective.
Slowly is an adverb.
Word
Signification
Matches phrases to meanings.
The traffic is very slow.
Score : /5
Summary
Slow is a versatile word used to describe any pace that is not fast, whether it is a physical movement or a process.
- Slow means not fast.
- It can be an adjective or verb.
- Use 'slowly' as an adverb.
- It is a very common word.
Memory Palace
Imagine a snail on your desk.
Native Speakers
Use it to complain about traffic.
Cultural Insight
Don't call people slow.
Grammar Shortcut
Slow = Adjective, Slowly = Adverb.
Exemple
This is very slow.
Related Content
Apprendre en contexte
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
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gray
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purple
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tiny
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perfect
A1En grammaire, le « perfect » désigne un temps verbal pour une action terminée. On l'utilise aussi dans l'expression « c'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron » pour parler de la perfection.
